36 More for B. T. C. : M. P. Complains of Delay in Payment
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THIRTY-SIX More haulage underJ. takings were acquired by the British Transport Commission in the seven days from July 17-23. So far this month, 124 businesses have been taken over,. maintaining an average of more than five a day. The latest acquisitions are:—
Briiish Road Services (Unit A.143), Chichester; Russell (Unit A.144), Chichester; MeKechnie Motors (Unit 13.131), Girvan; British Road Services (Unit R.136). Kelso; 'Turner Bros. (Unit B.I36), Kelso; EsPiey (Unit C.I69), Sandbael); Whittaker (Unit C170), Sandbach; Loran (Unit C.171), Sandbalch; HUI (tnit C.I85), Crewe; British Road Serv ices (Unit D.I40), Gateshead-on-Tyne; T. Smith (Unit D.I66), Sheffield, 9; Rodwell (Unit D.167), Barnsley; Mason (Unit D.168). Barnsley; Lamb (Unit D.171). Middlesbrough; British Road Services (UnirB.147). DrortwIch; Patten (Unit F.I14), Ihninstet; Black and White Transport (Unit 1.119), Bradford-onAvon; Burgoyne (Unit 0.100). Lyonshall; Reliance Tot. (Unit H.128), King's Lynn; Mitchley and Aukcr (unit 11.129). King's Lynn; Everdell (Unit 11.130), St. Ives; E. E. Burton (Unit 14.131). Wisbeah: Alanda (Unit H.132), Wroxham; S. T. Belton (Unit H.133) Boston; R. Barr (Leeds), Ltd.. Leeds 10; W. II. Fish and Sons, Ltd.,• :Leeds, 10;. AK „Harrison.(Leeds). Ltd., ,Leeds. 10;Zealand (Unit H.134): Boston: • MatiinglY (Unit F.116), Swindon': British Road 'Services (Unit C183). Marpte; . British: Road Servicei (Unit C.172),. Mamie; British Road Services (Unit D.170). Doncaster: • Hardy (UnitA.145). Brighton. 7: British Road. Services (unit D.169), Sheffield 9; British Road Services •(Unit F.66). Westbury:Road. Services_ (Unit E.151). Short Heath.
Mr. Thorneycroft Hits Out
. In the House of Commons, on Monday, Mr. Peter Thorneycroft• con. tinue.d the campaign inaugurated, by . "-The. Commercial Motor" against unreasona.bledelay in paying for businesses. taken over. He declared that in the large majority of cases of . cothpufsory acquisition which had taken place up to June 30, no provisional arriOuni of compensation 'had been agreed; Outstanding amotints of cash had not been paid, and Transport Stock had not been issued.
The Minister of Transport, who replied that he was satisfied that the vast majority of cases was being dealt with in a "businesslike and expeditious" way, said that the British Transport Commission couldnot make payments on account until the properties concerned had been identified and agreed, and provisional ascertainments had been made.
Up to June 30, 469 road haulage undertakings had been transferred, of which 123 had been taken over in June, and 131 in May. In 35 instances the extent of the transfers had not been agreed, and in 148 cases the Commission was awaiting accounts or other information,
130 Provisional Ascertainments
Provisional ascertainrnents in 130 instances had been calculated or were in hand, and payment on account would be made as soon as legal title was verified and other essential formalities were completed. The remaining cases were awaiting valuers' reports and other information.
The Minister was satisfied that the Commission intended that all acquired undertakings should receive payments on account at the earliest possible moment, and that there was no need for him to issue directions on the subject.
"Speedy progress in respect both of acquired undertakings and of those yet to be acquired will depend largely on the co-operation of the transferers in quickly supplying the necessary information," he adde0.
Replying to another observation by Mr Thorneycroft, the Minister said that up to June 50 advances of £2,001) in cash were made in 81 cases. He did not think there was any substance in Mr. Thorneycroft's accusation that many small hauliers had hardly any money on which to live and were unable to plan for the future.