§ 56. Mr. MILLARasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the use of a. motor-car for station or business purposes will make the owner liable to prosecution where a taxi-cab or a horse carriage can be hired for the journey?
§ Mr. WARDLEUnder the provisions of Motor Spirit Restriction Order No. 2, 1917, the owner of a motor-ear who uses, it for station or business purposes might be liable to prosecution if a taxi-cab or other vehicle licensed to ply for hire were reasonably available for the journey.
§ Mr. MILLARMay I ask whether the Order makes it quite clear that he will be liable, unless he can show he was, bound to use his own car if he could not get another conveyance?
§ Mr. WARDLEThat is a matter of interpretation, and those who use motorcars must take the risks.
§ Mr. PRINGLEExcept Ministers.
§ Mr. HOUSTONBut if the motor-car being used consumes less petrol than the taxi-cab, would not that be in the interests of economy?
§ Mr. WARDLEThat is a matter for the Court.