R.H.A. Meet Mr, Nugent on Records
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A DEPUTATION from the Road 1"-x Haulage Association met Mr. G. R. H. Nugent, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport on Monday to discuss the liability of employers for the inaccurate completion of records by drivers.
The party consisted of Mr. R. N. Ingram, national chairman, Mr. H. H. Crow. one of the national vice-chairmen, Mr. R. Morton Mitchell, chief executive officer, and Mr. E. W. Russell, of the secretariat. Their object was to try to avoid the prosecution of operators who were patently innocent of offences in connection with records, and to prevent their applications for licence renewals from being prejudiced.
Mr. Nugent is understood to have been sympathetic and realized that the law sometimes worked harshly. He reiterated, however, the fear that any change might make possible collusion between drivers and employers to defeat the ends of justice. He pointed out that the Minister could not direct the Licensing Authorities to take a liberal view of records offences, and that Parliament and public opinion were opposed to any change in the law.
SLUMP STOPPED, BUT PROSPERITY DISTANT "THE depression has been halted, but prosperity in our industry is by no means restored," states Sir Henry Spurrier, chairman of Leyland Motors, Ltd.. in his annual report issued on Tuesday.
By the beginning of the year under review, half the backlog of orders had been fulfilled, and it later became necessary to work short weeks. Towards the end of the year, business recuperated and today new orders were matching deliveries, although the company were not working to full capacity.
Sir. Henry attacked the purchase tax on goods-vehicle chassis and the Socialist renationalization threat as factors depressing home demand. The Labour Party's proposals about iron and steel also worried the company.
" Until matters such as these are resolved one way or another, I can see little improvement for us in the home market; in fact, the situation could easily deteriorate still further," he warns.
Establishment of plants overseas would not deprive home factories of work. "Very seldom can manufacture overseas be achieved 100 per cent.; it is often nearer 50 per cent.; the balance is made up from home," he explains.
The company were being called upon to give more extended credit to customers overseas.
ALBIONS FOR BULWARK TWENTY-FOUR Albion Caledonian I chassis, to the value of £110,000, have been ordered by Bulwark Transport, Ltd. They are to be fitted with tanks for the transport of various liquids. A special feature will be a lockable third differential on the first rear axle.