GOODS SERVICE LICENCES

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27710, 14 July 1955, Page 14

GOODS SERVICE LICENCES

CHAMBERS’ ATTACK SUPPORTED “ PROVISIONS MOST OBJECTIONABLE 99 “Wholehearted support” for the attack made by the Associated Chambers of Commerce on the provisions in the Transport Act requiring the approval of the Minister of Railways before a transport licensing authority could hear certain applications, was given yesterday by Mr J. J. B. Connor, manager of Midland Motorways Services, Ltd. Under ' the act applicants for a goods service licence over a route for which the department holds a licence have to obtain the approval of the Minister for their application. “A licence cannot be granted by a licensing authority without the written consent of the Minister of Railways,” said Mr Connor. “That is required over a route which has substantially the same terminals as one for which the department holds a licence. It has occurred that an applicant has had to obtain the approval of the Minister for a service on a route for which the department holds a licence, but over which it does not operate a service,” Mr Connor said.

“The provisions are most objectionable because the Minister should be on all fours with the other operators, yet he can actually prevent the operation of the Licensing Act. He can be judge and jury on a case and prevent the merits of an application being aired in public.”