Why the Secrecy over Scottish Steel Rates?
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THE Scottish steel rates controversy I between the Licensing Authority, Mr. W. F. Quin, and Colvilles Ltd., involving applications by several large steel hauliers, seems to have fizzled out like a damp squib. It was in June that Mr. Quin (whose retirement in December was announced recently), in a blaze of publicity (he had summoned the Press to a public inquiry in Plasgow), announced that he would not grant applications by McKelvie and Co. (B.M. and P.) Ltd., Russell of Bathgate Ltd., Road Services (Forth) Ltd., Pollock (Musselburgh) Ltd., • Duncan Barbour and Son Ltd., Moore's Motors (Ayr) Ltd., James K. Allan Ltd., Allisons Transport (Contracts) Ltd., Saddlers Transport Ltd., John Stamper and Co. (Haulage) Ltd., and J. and A. Smith of Maddislon Ltd.
Since then, however—apart from a 'statement from Colville's that the rates that Mr. Quin was complaining about had been negotiated with "established hauliers "—the whole proceedit-Jes have it6 been shrouded in a veil of secrecy. Meetings were held, I understand, between the parties, but no public announcements have been made.'
Now, four months after Mr. Quin's ultimatum, the latest edition of Scottish "Applications and Decisions" shows the grant of facilities, including the carriage of steel for Colvilles, to most of the operators involved.
Having gone to such trouble to publicize the matter in the first place last June, it is a pity that Mr. Quin has made the grants "in chambers ". Presumably he is satisfied with the rates (otherwise he would not have granted them). Why does he not say so in open court?