Classify TM Ls, say Tory peers
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from our political correspondent
• Different classes of transport managers' licences are now envisaged by the Government under the terms of the Transport Bill.
Amendments to the Bill, laid in the Lords this week, stipulate that "there shall be such classes of transport manager's licence as may be prescribed" in Regulations.
The Conservative leadership in the Lords have also made clear the adjustments they want to make to the system. Their amendments seek to establish that a manager's licence shall not be suspended or revoked by a Licensing Authority "except in cases of serious mismanagement."
Further, the Tories will seek to write into the Bill that if a manager faces loss or curtailment of his licence after convictions involving maintenance, weight, loading, inspection, waiting or safety prohibition, it shall only be lost if the manager's "overall record is such as to give rise to serious public danger."
The Opposition want a manager's licence to be granted for periods longer than five years—including a lifetime—if the LA think fit, and they want a speeding offence removed from the provisions which would lead to loss or curtailment of licence.
Also they seek the rewriting of the clause penalizing managers for false statements made to obtain licences. While statements known to be false should still be punished, they feel that this should not be the case where the applicant did not know they were false.
Other Conservative amendments to the Bill being considered by the Lords include:
O The removal from drivers' hours requirements of vehicles not exceeding 30cwt unladen.
• The exclusion from quality licensing of dual-purpose vehicles not exceeding two tons unladen.
• The removal of the right of trade unions, operators or carriers within the industry, together with chiefs of police or local councils, to object to the grant of quality licences. In substitution, the LA should merely be empowered to consult such persons or bodies "if he thinks fit."
LI The inclusion of express carriage vehicles in the provisions for new bus grants.
O The exclusion of PTA powers to run contract carriage services to places outside their district, or between places outside their district. The provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1930 on this point should be repeated and reinforced in the present Bill.
The Liberals, led by Lord Wade, are seeking to lay down that after an appointed day, articulated vehicles should either be constructed in a way to prevent jack-knifing, or befitted with devices to prevent it.
They also seek to have hauliers compelled by law to provide that all goods carried for third parties are adequately insured against theft or damage. while in transit, with penalties of up to £200 for non-compliance.