§ 58. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Prime Minister whether the Petrol Controller to the Board of Trade or the new Petroleum Executive was responsible for the permission for guests of the Lord Mayor of London on the 9th November to use petrol; and why the official notice communicated to the Press on the 9th October requesting everybody to economise to the last drop was thus ignored?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The Lord Mayor's banquet may, perhaps, be regarded as a somewhat special occasion, and the Petrol Controller, on a representation from the Corporation, and at the request of the City Police, decided not to object to the use of petrol for the conveyance of persons attending the banquet.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs my hon. Friend aware that many thousands of private motorists have voluntarily, in the national interest, given up their cars altogether; and will he see that no further extension of this kind is granted?
§ Mr. WARDLEI know a good many private motorists who have not given up their cars, as well as those who have done so.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is not an answer. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the number of those who have is enormously greater than the number of those who have not; and will he see that nothing of this kind is allowed to occur again?
§ Mr. WARDLEI am afraid that the in. formation in my possession is exactly the opposite; but I will make representations.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the case that the hon. Gentleman has no information. on the subject?