Hauliers' Sand
Page 22
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Rates Justified FOLLOWING the recent inquiry, at Wrexham, as reported V in our issue for last week, into a complaint by a sand and gravel company in respect of charges made by two haulage contractors, a decision wasgiven later by Mr. 3. R. Williams, the Deputy Regional Transport Commissioner. The inquiry was held under the Road Haulage (Hiring) Charges Order, 1942, made by the MO.W.T. under Regulation 55 of the Defence (General Regulations, 1939). Assessors who assisted the Commissioner were Mr. A. 13. Summerfield and Mr. F. Wilkinson, from the Traders and Hauliers Panels respectively.
The United Sand and Gravel Co., Ltd., Hooton, Cheshire, sought a revision of the Charges included in the accounts for the month of March, 1944, rendered by Messrs. W. B. Bell and Sons, Berse, Wrexham, and the Dee Valley Transport Co., Ltd., 1A'arnclon, Cheshire, for the haulage of sand and gravel from Pant Farm Pit, GresfOrd, to various destinations.
The applicant—the United Sand and Gravel Co., Ltd— operates a number of its own vehicles under C-class permits. The firm of Messrs. W. B, Bell and Sons are a controlled undertaking under the Ministry's Road Haulage Organization. The charges in the account relate to " excluded " traffic not accepted by the Area Road Haulage Officer.
Applicant did not lead evidence as to particular charges in the accounts, except as regards those to one destination. But these latter charges constituted the bulk of the amounts la each account, viz., £1,502 14s. eel, out of a total ef £1,960 12s. 6d. in the case of the first-named haulier, and £251 ifs, out of a total of £272 9s. 9d. in the case of the second-named haulier. This evidence purported to show that a fair and reasonable rate in October, 1940, would have been 5s. 8d. per ton, anti that the rate now applicable should be 6s. 6d. per ton, in lieu of the rates of 8s. and 7s lid, per ton charged by the hauliers. It was stated that no charges were made for the haulage of sand and gravel from Pant Farm Pit to this particular destination in.October, 1940.
Cross examination revealed that the suggested charge of 6s. 6d. per ton was calculated on a hypothetical basis. The applicant maintained that the figures of costs and profits were arrived at in the light of its own experience as an operator of goods vehicles, Evidence was given on behalf of the hauliers by chartered accountants, who certified as to the accuracy of the figures in statements handed in. The follbwing information, as to the current costs for the particular job in question, was given:—
Costs per lks for Job 8 1114 9 0
With the added profit of 10 per cent, the accountants • calculated reasonable charges for the job as being 9s. 10d. and 9s. 11d. respectiyeIy. The firm of Messrs. W. B. Bell and Sons also supplied similar information respecting other jobs forming the subject of the charges in question.
After hearing the evidence of the parties 'and after discussion with the assessors, who heard the evidence with him, the Deputy Regional Transport Commissioner, Mr. J. R. Williams, did not feel justified in directing that any other charges should be substituted for those in the accounts, the subject of the application.