Fined £170 in Hours and Records Cases
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A LTHOUGH fines totalling £170 were r-1 imposed last week on Hanson's Haulage (Leeds), Ltd., the Leeds Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr. Ralph Cleworth, Q.C., said he was satisfied that there was no element of dishonesty by either the company or their employees.
Hanson's admitted 82 cases of allowing drivers to work without 10 consecutive hours' rest, hnd of. failing to ensure that proper drivers' records were kept. They also pleaded guilty to three other summonses for using an unlicensed vehicle. Twenty-two drivers were fined a total of £82 for committing the offences.
The defence was that the hours offences did not relate to excessive driving. The men had been given the opportunity to increase their wages by working after their driving duties were finished.
Imposing the fines, Mr. Cleworth said: "I think the trouble was due to laxity and to some misunderstanding by both men and management as to the law." He ordered Hanson's to pay costs of £52 10s.
GLASGOW TRAMS: DECISION SOUGHT
AN early decision is being sought by Mr. E. R. L. Fitzpayne, general manager of Glasgow Transport Department, on his plan for abandoning all the city's trams within 15 to 20 years. In his annual report he states that he suggested replacements some time ago and a decision by the city council would be welcomed.
Mr. Fitzpayne points out that although 107 trams were scrapped last year, many others are becoming unfit for service, and it is difficult to recruit labour to maintain the permanent way. The number of trams in use at peak periods has dropped from 973 in 1948 to 699 on May 31 this year, whilst the number of buses has risen from 431 to 718.
The year up to May 31 was financially satisfactory, but continued inflation is causing concern. He advocates staggering working hours in the city to relieve rush-hour congestion_