No bad language under Section 69
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• At a public inquiry in Leeds on Wednesday, a Yorkshire coal merchant, Mr H. G. Platts of Huddersfield, was told by the Yorkshire LA, Maj-Gen Sir John Potter, "to behave himself or risk an adjournment of his hearing".
Mr Platts who originally had an 0 licence authorizing three vehicles, had been called before the .LA under Section 69. At the outset of the hearing Mr Platts said in reference to his vehicles: "It doesn't make much difference to me what you do with them. You know what you can do with your 0 licence."
After repeated interruptions by Mr Platts the LA told him: "I clo not want bad language in this court and if you do not remain silent I shall be forced to adjourn the hearing."
From this point Mrs F. Platts took over the case and told the LA that over the past nine months her husband had spent £700 on the maintenance of the .three vehicles but despite this fact one had still attracted a prohibition notice and the others were found to be in a poor condition when inspected by a DoE vehicle examiner on September 15 1972.
In his evidence, the examiner, Mr L. W. Oliver, said that it was his opinion that although Mr Platts had attempted to maintain his vehicles to DoE standard, he had failed as a result of unsatisfactory arrangements. There were plenty of hand tools available but no maintenance pit or the necessary equipment for carrying out major . repairs. These were undertaken by a local garage and a fully skilled mechanic was employed on a part-time basis.
The LA heard that only two vehicles were not being operated and in future these would be maintained, inspected and repaired by another local garage.
The LA decided to curtail the licence held by Mr Platts by removing one vehicle.