Control of Maximum Haulage and Hire Charges
Page 20
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UNDER the Road Haulage and Hire (Charges) Order, 1942, dated February 13, and made by the M: of W.T. the maximum -rates for the.carriage of goods by motor vehicles, or for the hire of such vehicles, and for incidental services, must not, from February 23, exceed amounts which would have been considered fair and teasonable in October, 1940, with the addition of 7/ per cent, to reflect increases in costs since that period. This percentage may be Modified up or down in particular cases where it is proved that it is unfair.
Any question as to whether a charge conforms with the Order will normally be decided by the Regional. Traffic Commissioner of the Region in ,which the traffic originates or the hire commences, with tha assistance of two assessors representing road haulage and trade or agriculture. Applications for reductions of accounts must be made in writing to the Commissioners concerned within one month of the dates. On which the accounts were rendered.
It is . notable that the percentage _increase permitted is based upon the charge, not upon the cost, a point the importance of which will be appreciated by hauliers and hirers.
There is, at present, no question of the control of any minimum charge, but rate-cutting is now almost a thing of the past.
The Order is substantially in the form
recommended to the Minister by the Road Haulage (Rates) Joint Consultative Committee, which was appointed in February, 1941. This now consists of representatives of road haulage, trade and agriculture, and of the Air Minis-. try, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Supply, and War Office, with Mr. S. J. Page, MC., as chairman, and Mr. R. Eyres as secretary, both of the M. of W.T.
The basic period was selected7because, by that month, charges, in general, had been adjusted to meet the standardization of wages in haulage and war conditions of operation.
-Regard will be had to any charges actually made in October, 1940, these not being limited to those made by the haulier against whom the application is brought. This will cover the cases Of those who had not brought up their rates to those considered reasonabIe,. and the onus of proof is placed upon the person who wishes to show that a higher or lower percentage should be taken.
The Order applies also• to the use, of trailers, but not to horsed vehicles, nor does it apply to vehicles owned by the railways, the reasonableness of charges for which are determinable bY the Railway Rates Tribunal.
The National Farmers' Union has already stated that, so far as agricul. tural traffic by road is concerned, the addition•is regarded as reasonable;