CLAIMS MADE FOR THE R.H.O.
Page 29
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IN a written reply to Mr. Ellis Smith, (Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker, Parliamentary iecretary, M,O,W.T., gave some figures elative to the operation of road haulage inder the R.H.O. scheme.
Mr. Ellis Smith had asked the Parlianatary Secretary if he could give him Lily figures showing the savings that iad been effected, the benefits derived rum the clearing centres, and any >ther, figures that would enable' the ''House to measure the value of the
)rganization. • In his reply, Mr. Noel-Baker said hat pre-war figures of road haulage yore not available, and the need for conomizing in staff had kept to a ninimum the statistical records of the .H.0 For these reasons it was not iossible to give any complete statistical omparisons.
Mr. .Noel-Baker, however, endeaoured to set oat what are described as ome of the advantages that had been ecure.d. Amongst these he mentioned: (1) Economies in the use of fuel and
rubber. Sample checks in 1943 showed that fuel economies of the order of 25 to 30 per cent, on pre-war fuel consumption were effected. [It would be interesting. to know how the pre-War figure was obtained and, in any case, the mere removal of vehicles from the road in order to effect economies is not evidence of efficiency.—En.] (2) The fullest possible loading compatible with the use of road vehicles as a reserve for other forms of transport Unit controllers are advised in advance of all arrivals of loaded vehicles, so that vehicles may be loaded back in preference to outleading by other' vehicles. A sample analysis in 1944 showed a loaded mileage of about 80 per cent. as compared with a general pre-war level estimated at 70 per cent. or less.
. (3). The controls. at, area,, divisional and national levels ena,131e local surpluses of vehicles or. traffic to be balanced, and vehicles to be rapidly -mobilized to meet emergencies. (4) The control of "road transport provided by the R.H.O. has tnabled traffic to, be allocated between the different forms of transport, so as to ensure the best provision for the clearance of ports and for affording relief to the railways at points of congestion. (5) The R.H.O. relieves Government Departments of much of the work of arranging for their own transport and eliminates competition between them, Mr, Noel-Baker -then sets out some figures showing the extent of the activities of the Organization.
(a) Tonnage handled during 1944: Amos. tons
Long distance {including Govern
ment traffic) .. 11 Other Government traffie-
16.2
Open.east coal .. . a meat 3.6
Other commercial traffic ... 15 53.8
In addition, 4,685,489 head of livestock were carried, (b) Tonnage carried during a specimen period of four weeks in November, 1944, was 5,786,827.