Objectors Giowing Cautious: Magistrates Too Lenient

24th September 1954, Page 89

24th September 1954

Page 89

Page 89, 24th September 1954 — Objectors Giowing Cautious: Magistrates Too Lenient

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HE provision in the Transport Act. 1953, that the onus of proof of objection lies with the objector ndoubtedry tends to make interested ties more circumspect in lodging ections." This observation is made in "Summary of Annual Reports of Licensing Authorities for Goods tides, 1952-53," published by the tionery Office last week at 2s.

'he guidance to Licensing Auffiorigiven in the Act did not result in • marked increase in the number of lications lodged, and in some areas re was a noticeable drop in the nber of objections, especially in the -contentious cases. Fewer objections British Road Services against applions relating to short-distance work e reported.

here was little diminution in the ngth with which objections were .sed against newcomers' applications, he applications of existing hauliers additional tonnage.

'owards the end of the period under ew, there was an increase in the iber of expired C licences which e not renewed. "Many of these aces were granted in the period 7-48 when fuel rationing was still force and no doubt some were ;lit with the intention of obtainsupplies of commercial motor fuel; probable that many of the vehicles authorized were not in fact used," :s the report ttention is drawn to the widespread ire on the part of C-licensees to notify Licensing Authorities about the disposal of vehicles.

Offences relating to drivers' hours and the keeping of records were the most numerous. It frequently happened that offences of this kind came to light during inquiries made on other counts. Complaints from trade unions, drivers' wives or friends, alleging arduous conditions of employment or excessive working hours sometimes led to prosecutions..

There was an increase in the number of instances of vehicles operating beyond the 25-mile limit.

In a number of cases where operators had been prosecuted for breaches of licence conditions, only nominal penalties. or absolute discharges, were given by the courts. 'Action on these lines is of little, if any, assistance to the Licensing Authorities in their endeavours to secure compliance with the law." is the reports' comment.

Total number of A-, Band C-licensed vehicles and British Transport Commission vehicles operating at December 31, 1953, was 1,034.037, these break down as follows:-A-licence, 90,813 (12,431 operators); contract-A, 13,280 (5,193 operators); B-licence, 63,622 (31,163 operators); C-licence, 866.322 (432,028 operators).

The percentage of vehicles under 3 tons unladen to the total was 90.8. In the A-licence category the proportion was 68.15 per cent., contract-A 72.2 per cent., B-licence 89.7 per cent. and Clicence 93.5 per cent.