Explanation required from RHA
Page 31
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• After the RHA dealt with a new 0-licence application on behalf of two Lancashire hauliers they began to operate their vehicles in the belief that they were fully covered when, in fact, the licence had been withdt awn shortly after approval.
This was stated at a public inquiry in Manchester on Tuesday when the hauliers, Terence and Thomas Thompson, trading as Thompson Bros, of Leigh, applied to the North Western LA, Mr Charles Hodgson, for a new licence authorizing two vehicles and three trailers with a margin of one vehicle and two trailers to be acquired.
Representing Thompson Bros, Mr G. Beatles told the LA that in October 1971 the brothers had been granted an interim licence and later, on November 9, a full licence to cover five vehicles and three trailers. Although both applications had been handled by the RHA the licence fees were not forwarded to the LA within the prescribed period, and it was for this reason that the licence was withdrawn.
In his evidence, Mr Thomas Thompson said that after receiving a registered letter from the LA informing him of the situation he replied by telephone explaining that only two vehicles would be required. It was for this reason that he sent the LA a cheque for £45 to cover the cost of both the interim and full licence. However, the LA accepted only £5 to cover the interim licence.
After hearing the evidence Mr Hodgson said there might have been a certain amount of negligence on the part of the RHA and that therefore he had decided to reserve his decision until an explanation had been made by the Association.