Irregularity Allegations Made Out of Spite, Commissioners Told
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CUT-THROAT competition between express operators had resulted in
Unfounded allegations of irregularity being made out of spite. Any irregular operation had resulted from an operator's sympathetic treatment of R.A.F. personnel in difficulties. This submission, made to the North Western Traffic Commissioners, at Llandudno, last week, concerned an express service between Valley R.A.F. Camp, Anglesey, Liverpool and Manchester.
Mr. T. A. Milburn, trading as T. A. Milburn and Son, Caerwen, Anglesey, had been called upon to show cause". why the licence should not be revoked or suspended.
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, pointed out that the history of warnings and convictions went back to October, 1954, when Mr. Milburn was cautioned at the time of his first licence application. Following further complaints a letter was sent to him in March, 1955. He was also interviewed by an enforcement officer.
Within a few months there were more complaints and a second letter was sent in December, .1955. In May, 1957, there was a conviction at Valley magistrates' court and, after a general warning concerning irregularities issued when the licence was renewed in July, 1958, there was a further conviction on four counts, before Valley magistrates on February 9, 1960.
Mr. E. Parry, for Mr. Milburn, said that the service started as a private-party operation from the camp and the original illegalities were committed in ignorance. The tither offences were committed mainly because of sympathy over airmen's difficulties. A reduction of 2s. in the licensed fare of 185., to Liverpool, and £1 to Manchester, had been made following complaints that charges were too high. Mr. Milburn, who thought that they were maximum charges, was unaware that it was irregular to reduce fares.
Although only return fares were licensed, airmen who had missed connec tions had been carried at single fares on the return journeys as it was the only way to return to camp on time.
Other isolated complaints were the use of two vehicles instead of one, the use of an unlicensed vehicle and setting down at an unauthorized point in Chestet.
An analysis showed that between 19541958, there had been two or three warnings and one conviction. During the currency of the present licence, there had been one warning and one conviction. It was a dismal history, but little or no damage had been done to their competitors, British Railways and Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., said Mr. Parry.
Cut-throat competition had resulted in allegations made out of spite, some of which were unfounded. Mr. Milburn, who was unable_ to attend, because of business commitments, had instructed him to apologize and give an undertaking that the law would be obeyed in future.
Fit. Lt. P. A. Roberts, supporting the continuation of the licence, said that from the point of view of the R.A.F. personnel, it had been an excellent service which Mr. Milburn had run at a loss on numerous occasions. It would be serious if the licence were revoked or suspended, he added.
Accepting the explanation, Mr. Williamson said that Mr. Milburn was jeopardizing his licence by not conforming to its conditions. If alterations were necessary he must apply for variation. There would be no revocation or suspension on this occasion, but no further warnings would he issued.