W. Midland Rates Battle Adjourned Again
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AN allegation that the objectors to an application were doing all they could to "stave off" a decision as long as possible was made by a solicitor representing Willmott Haulage Ltd., of Plymouth, during the continued hearing of an application before the West Midland deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. R. Hall, at Birmingham on Wednesday. Willmott Haulage was -seeking an eight-vehicle B licence to carry road-making materials for Leonard. Leigh within 35 miles of a local , base (The Commercial Motor, December 6, 1963). W. R. Ingram Ltd., of Birmingham, and Male and Son (Pensnett) Ltd. were objecting.
Continuing his evidence, Mr. R. N. Ingram, of W. R. Ingram Ltd. (a past national chairman of the R.H.A.), said that the main point at issue was the question of rates, which he considered to be uneconomical. His company was in a position to provide vehicles to do the work for Leonard Leigh, he said, but only if the price was economical.
When Mr. N. Carless, for the objectors. was handed a' certified document giving detailed costings for the work proposed to be undertaken by the applicants, he said that he was in the unfortunate position of not being able to question the person who had prepared the data. There were two or three substantial Omissions which made it difficult to compare with costings which had been put in by the objectors.
Invited by the deputy Authority to state the omissions. Mr. Carless said there was no provision for depreciation, no provision for the cost of road fund licences and no charges shown for office administration and overheads. He would also like to know what type of vehicles were being used.
The deputy Authority granted a further adjournment until January 23 and asked the applicant to produce the details requested, and to secure the attendance of a witness qualified to answer the objectors' queries.