§ 47. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Defence what estimated annual saving in petrol will be secured as a result of his instructions to the Service Depart-in regard to economy.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. A. V. Alexander)It is estimated that consumption of motor spirit by the Services in the year ending 30th June, 1948, will be about 620,000 tons as compared with 1,065,000 tons in the previous year—a drop of over 1001 40 per cent. It is not possible to say how much of this saving is the result of specific economies, but the reduction has been effected relatively more quickly than the reduction in manpower strengths.
§ Sir T. MooreWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his satisfactory reply, may I ask him whether the instructions issued to the Services indicated the hardship being suffered by the civilian community through being deprived of their basic petrol ration?
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Services have been left in no doubt about the urgency of the need for economy.
§ Mr. BingWill my right hon. Friend indicate that when he used the term "motor spirit" he did not use it in accordance with the Trade and Navigation Returns of the Board of Trade, but exclusively as a fuel used for internal combustion engines on land, excluding aviation spirit?
§ Mr. AlexanderYes, Sir. The figure does not include aviation spirit. A reduction of 44,000 tons of aviation spirit is foreshadowed, but we must keep sufficient to provide for efficient training.
§ Wing-Commander HulbertCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many gallons are involved, so that the public can more readily understand the matter without having to be senior wranglers?
§ Mr. AlexanderI shall have to work it out.
§ Mr. MikardoHaving said that it is hoped to save some aviation spirit, will my right hon. Friend investigate how much can be saved by dropping the Royal Air Force practice of using high octane spirit for cleaning purposes, including cleaning hangar floors?
§ Mr. AlexanderIf my hon. Friend has any information about that I should be glad if he would put it to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Air.
§ Mr. MikardoI have already done so.
§ Major Legge-BourkeCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the proportion of the economy will not be so great in the case of armoured units, requiring petrol for training; as in the case of ordinary maintenance units, using it for administrative purposes?
§ Mr. AlexanderWe have indicated that we require a certain economy, and I would rather leave it to the Army themselves to make that economy in the place where it will be felt least.
§ Mr. AustinWill my right hon. Friend look into the question of combining elementary flying training of the Air Force and Naval Air Arm, where that is suitable?
§ Mr. AlexanderA great deal of elementary flying training is already being done by the Royal Air Force for the Navy, and has been done for many years past. But if there is any further development in that direction a Question might be put to the Admiralty.