'Minor defects' reduced increase
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• A firm applying to increase its 0 licence from nine to 17 was allowed to increase to only 12 by South Eastern LA at Maidstone last week.
The firm, Brown Bros (Sittingbourne) Ltd, was said to have had minor defects on most of its vehicles checked at various times by a vehicle examiner; and also had two convictions for overloading lorries.
The Ministry examiner, Mr M. Daniels, said the trouble was caused by drivers being left to report defects to maintenance staff who then carried out repairs.
This, he said, was inefficient, as drivers were not always qualified enough to spot mechanical failures. He noted the firm em
ployed two qualified fitters and the premises and equipment were satisfactory for maintenance of vehicles.
Mr D. Brown, a director of the family firm which has been running for more than 30 years, said that since January when Mr Daniels criticized drivers' inspections fitters regularly inspected vehicles for themselves.
He had also arranged for a Maidstone garage to carry out inspections in future so that fitters could carry out repairs on their advice.
The deputy LA, Mr G. Mercer, said that in view of the firm's efforts to deal with criticisms made about them, he would grant a licence for 12 vehicles.