62. A Transport Committee shall, in considering an application for a contract carriage permit, have regard to the extent to which additional contract carriage may be necessary or desirable in the public interest; and shall also take into consideration any representations which may then be made or which may previously have been made by persons already holding contract carriage permits in the region or by any local authority or police authority in the region to the effect that the number of contract carriages for which permits have already been granted is sufficient for or in excess of the needs of the region or any area within the region and shall satisfy itself that the vehicle to which the application relates is roadworthy and mechanically fit.