'Is this criminal trial?' applicant
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AHAULAGE contractor in Bristol on Wednesday questioned whether a hearing was for his A licence application—or a criminal trial. The comment came from Mr. George Read, of Mitcheldean, Glos., after Mr. M. MacGregorJohnson, representing objectors British Road Services Ltd., warned Mr. Read that if he made a false statement in an application for a licence, if granted, it was likely to be revoked.
Mr. Read was told he need not answer questions likely to incriminate him. He was applying for an A licence for one 11-ton articulated vehicle, which had been amended to normal user: mainly coal, scrap metals and grain, within a 150-mile radius.
Mr. MacGregor-Johnson alleged that at the adjourned hearing on September 12 in Cheltenham, Mr. Read said he had no idea why he had been dismissed by the firm which had taken over his business and retained him as branch manager. "That was a flat lie, wasn't it?"
Mr. Read: "I had a warning that I would be replaced if the situation didn't improve, but the situation improved. When I was dismissed I was given no reason for dismissal."
Questioned by Mr. T. D. Come, appearing for him, Mr. Read said a number of potential customers had contacted him to arrange transport, mainly because British Road Services would not help them.
He said after BRS took over the business, previously run by Mr. Read and his mother, BRS reduced the number of vehicles.
After his father died in 1962, Mr. Read operated the firm for three years and made a profit each year. "But when BRS paperwork came in it caused chaos," said Mr. Read.
Mr. Edward Crocker, district manager of BRS South Wales Area, which covered the Forest of Dean depot at which Mr. Read was manager, agreed that the business of George Read was quite successful when first taken over. A very substantial sum of money had been paid for the concern.
Mr. Crocker alleged that BRS had been completely misled in the deal. "We had no idea that illegal operations were going on to the extent it was. We had no idea of the condition of the vehicles-26 engines were fitted within six months."
The district manager added: "The records were completely phoney. They were putting down dirty money to cover excessive hours. As far as this business is concerned we were fooled."
Refusing the application, Mr. A. C. Caffin, Western deputy Licensing Authority, said he was not going to decide if Mr. Read was a fit and proper person to hold a licence. He took the view that statutory objection had been substantiated.