Special-A Base Change Brings £50 Fines
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FINES totalling .£50 were imposed at Glossop, on Monday, on a concern of motor dealers who admitted five charges of making false statements to obtain special A licences. The magistrates were told that Wilde and Bennett, Ltd., Hadfield (Derbys), were the first to be prosecuted for such an offence, and the case had been brought as a warning to others.
Mr. David Turner, prosecuting, said that Wilde and Bennett bought two vehicles from two concerns in the South Eastern Area, and stated in the application for licences that they would continue to be operated from that area. This was not so, because the company were dealers.
"In this case they were dealers in licences, which are probably more valuable than the vehicles," he said. Mr. Turner asked for a severe penalty, to discourage others from giving false information.
Mr. G. Furniss, defending, claimed that some Licensing Authorities did not insist on a strict application of the Transport Act, 1953, because sales might be hampered.
Wilde and Bennett had stated that they intended to base the vehicles in the South Eastern Area, and that they had made arrangements to do so. This was not true, but they had intended to make temporary arrangements until the vehicles could be re-sold in the same area.
TAX AUTHORITIES TIGHTEN UP ON GOODS VEHICLES
LOCAL taxation authorities are engaging in a special drive to tighten up on fees paid by commercialvehicle operators. This action follows a national check by the Ministry of Transport. which showed that they were suffering substantial losses of revenue through below-standard weighing of vehicles.
A memorandum has been sent by the Ministry to all local authorities, urging that special staff should be allocated for test weighing of goods vehicles, and for preparing demands for increased tax wherever necessary.
The Ministry have asked the authorities to submit full reports of test weighings.
EARLY "NO WAITING" AFTER EASTER
REGULATIONS imposing "no waiting" in certain London streets from 8.30 a.m., instead of 11.30 a.m., due to come into force on January 1, are now expected to be put into operation immediately after Easter. It is understood that the delay has been caused by a shortage of traffic signs (The Commercial Motor, November 22) and not to objections from road transport operators.
Mr. R. E. G. Brown, secretary of the London and Home Counties Division of the Traders' Road Transport Association, told The Commercial Motor that the T.R.T.A. had not objected to the proposals.
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