Road Transport Under Nationalisation
SIR,—In the Spectator of March 17th Mr. H. D. Walston says, amongst other things, that the Socialists nationalised long-distance road transport, not to safeguard the interests of a small group of shareholders, but• in order to save the taxpayer's money. Here are two.samples of what is happening:—
1. A firm which had a great deal of material to transport to the High- lands of Scotland was approached by a tree-felling firm, which said: " We will give you a cheap rate to take your goods north ; otherwise we shall go empty." This was an admirable arrangement for both parties, but then the transport people stepped in and said: " You cannot do that. There are plenty of vehicles locally to employ for taking the goods north." So the position now is that British Transport takes up the goods and comes back empty, and the tree-felling people go up empty in their own lorries and bring back their goods.
2. A progressive firm north of the Tweed made a profit of approximately £30,000 in their last year as a private firm, which, of course, brought in money to the Exchequer. Then they were taken over by the British Road Transport, and in the first seven months they lost £10,000. And is it any wonder ? With practically the tame anumber of vehicles, they employ an office staff of twenty against the previous number of seven.
This kind of thing is going on all over the country. How can your correspondent imagine for one moment that this is saving the taxpayer's
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