§ 70. Mr. WATTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the quantity of petrol granted to any veterinary surgeon has been reduced; whether in some instances half of their normal month's supply has been given to last for three months; whether some members of this profession have been charged 6d. extra duty while others have only paid 3d.; and, if so, whether those veterinary surgeons who have not joined the Army are by these means enabled to carry on the extra work on much smaller supplies?
Mr. HARCOURTRegistered veterinary surgeons who apply as such are entitled to an allowance of 3d. per gallon on the duty in respect of a licence for motor spirit used for the purposes of their profession, and to licences to be supplied with the full amount of their requirements up to 50 gallons a month. If the Petrol Committee are furnished with particulars of any case in which a registered veterinary surgeon's application has not been issued on these terms the matter will be considered.
§ 72. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the case of farmers using petrol to drive milking-machine engines has been considered; whether he will see that a sufficient supply of petrol for that purpose is allowed in all cases and a more adequate supply in the case of all other uses of petrol for agricultural purposes; and whether, in the case of farmers who through inadvertence or ignorance have not put in any claim for petrol, he will allow claims put forward and substantiated during the present month to be considered?
Mr. HARCOURTPersons needing petrol for agricultural and industrial purposes receive licences for a larger proportion of their requirements than most other classes of applicants. I hope that it may be possible to consider applications from farmers which are received out of time.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentle-man bear in mind that if the proportion of petrol allowed for an engine-driven milking machine is not sufficient to drive that machine it will stop the supply of milk?
Mr. HARCOURTAll the petrol available in this country will be issued to applicants in the largest possible measure.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are several substitutes for petrol on the market?
Mr. HARCOURTI know there are, but they are not the subject of distribution by the Petrol Committee.