LICENSING CASEBOOK
Page 30
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By John Darker, AMBIM More about
standardized forms
RISING from the discussion in Licensing Casebook (COMMERCIAL MOTOR, January 14) on the vexed question of standardized forms in support of haulage applications, I may have given the impression, inadvertently, that the Form F used in the Eastern area was the only one of its kind. This is not so. In the Metropolitan and some other areas, a series of standardized forms has been developed over the years by solicitors, counsel and accountants concerned, and these forms do provide exhaustive information.
Certain LAs prefer the financial and statistical evidence supporting applications to be submitted in this more detailed fashion. There is evidence that many objectors, provided with such detailed summaries of operations, withdraw their objections or confine their opposition to relatively minor points when they are provided in advance with such a revealing analysis.
In stressing this, I do not feel that my arguments in favour of an agreed procedure in all areas are in any way weakened. The Transport Tribunal, in the Ipswich Delivery Service Ltd. appeal, would have helped the industry as a whole, and solicitors and counsel particularly, had it offered constructive guidance on the make-up of the financial and statistical records deemed necessary. The matter has been the subject of controversy for many years.
My own preference for a single, comprehensive form which can be completed without endless documentary research by the haulier or his traffic staff may be impracticable. The Eastern area's Form F may provide incomplete or misleading informa
tion. But a common approach should be possible. If this can be achieved, Mr. JacksonLipkin's "windmill-tilting" at Ipswich will have been abundantly justified.
To carry the matter further I would urge the new Minister, Mrs. Castle, to invite the views of the Bar Council, the Law Society and LAs on the possibility of a standardized system. The numbers of informed people whose views are significant in this context can scarcely number a hundred. Consensus may be possible; and if it is possible, professional advocates and road hauliers generally would benefit.
The Minister could know the answer in three months or less. Dare one hope that she will initiate action on these lines and publish the results? And, at the same time, disinter and publish the licensing reforms submitted by the Geddes Committee who said, (Carriers' Licensing, page 101) ". . some of the proposals made good sense to us and would have been put forward by us if we had decided to recommend reform . . ."