Lady Tweedsmuir to the Attack
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I N the House of Commons. last week. Lady Tweedsmuir, M.P., complained that the Road Haulage .Executive had granted permits for only three months to Mr. Charles Alexander, who, after his business had been acquired by the R.H.F.. had purchased other vehicles and obtained a five-year contract from the Aberdeen Milk Marketing Board in competition with the Executive. Application was made for permits to operate beyond the 25-mile radius six of the 24 vehicles to b.e employed. To carry out the contract the haulier had been obliged to apply for a permit to ate competitor from which he had won it.
The Minister of Transport stated that this was a case in which the role of the Licensing Authority was portrayed, for licences were granted for the contract. At the moment, the Authority w a s considering a n • application for a change of base, made by Mr. Alexander to enable him to carry out the contract with the six vehicles in question.
Lady Tweedsmuir ceitt clzed the approach of the R.H.E. towards hauliers in Scotland, but t he Minister • indicated that he was satisfied with the state Of affairs. Applications for permits numbered L5.00, he said, and 950 had been granted.
Another matter. raised by Lady Tweedsmuir concerned the restriction of hauliers in Aberdeen, who, on application for permits to carry household goods on removals, had been told that adequate facilities existed. Subsequently offices had been opened in Aberdeen and Inverness. by Pickfords, Ltd. The Minister replied that this concern probably had more experience of furniture removal than any other in the country, and he commended its enterprise.