Swansea Purchase Off Burden Too Great
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PAA DECISION of Swansea Borough Council to purchase the town bus services operated by the South Wales
Transport Co, Ltd.. was tinanimott'sly rescinded last week (The Commercial Motor, November 30). The purchase, which would have been effective from December 31, 1957, was estimated to cost about Elm.
The decision to acquire the undertaking was reached on a Labour Party majority. At last week's meeting ClIr. P. Morris, M.P., leader of the council's Labour Group, moved that the town clerk be instructed not to serve statutory notice upon S.W.T. to acquire the undertaking.
" I do so with very great reluctance on behalf of the Labour Party of the Council," he said. " Our colleagues of the Independent Party have made it clear all the wayalong that they are opposed to municipalization.
"It is clear from the report submitted by the town clerk that the Ministry of Transport would agree to us raising the necessary loan. but the policy of the Government, and activities of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. make it virtually impossible for the council to do so without imposing an intolerable burden upon the ratepayers of Swansea."
Mr. Morris said the acquisition would involve extensive and protracted arbitration, and there was even a possibility of High Court action on two difficult aspects.
Raising a minimum loan would have involved the ratepayers in loan charges of £100,000 a year.
CYPRIEN-FOX REORGANIZE
THE business of Cyprien-Fox. Ltd.. is to be operated by separate companies as from Tuesday. instead of by departments. as at present. Cyprien-Fox, Ltd., will be the parent co-ordinating company at new offices at 192 Seven Sisters Road, London, N.4.
Cyprien-Fox (Transport), Ltd., will continue to operate countrywide transport services from Harvist Mews. London, N.7. Mr. L. E. East and Mr. C. H. Massey have been appointed executive directors. Additional space has been acquired at Harvist Mews from which to operate Cyprien-Fox (Packaging). Ltd.. of which Mr. F. M. Dobner and Mr. H. Lincoln are new executive directors.
Cyprien-Fox (Display), Ltd., will be controlled from Seven Sisters Road.
OUTPUT AND EXPORTS FALL
rAA TOTAL of 19,807 goods vehicles and 789 public service vehicles was produced last month compared with 28,685 and 806 respectively in November. 1955, according to 13oard of Trade statistics. Exports of goods vehicles last month amounted to 10,118 and of public service vehicles 391, compared with 12.601 and 267 respectively a year earlier.