§ 9. Mr. GULLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the feeling aroused in Scotland by the operation of the Motor Spirit Order, dated 3rd January, 1918, whereby a private motor may be used for shopping but not for attendance at church, for presence at a parish council meeting but not at a Sabbath school; and whether, in view of a recent decision of the High Court of Justiciary, he will amend the Order so that the use of a private motor be allowed for attendance at church when no other suitable means of conveyance can be found?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe decision of the High Court of Justiciary, to which my right hon. Friend refers, was given before the present Motor Spirit (Consolidation) and Gas Restriction Order, 1918, came into force. The question of the use of motor cars for the purpose of attending Divine Service has received full consideration, and I regret that the necessity for the utmost economy in the use of motor spirit precludes the possibility of any amendment of the Regulations as suggested.
§ Mr. GULLANDWhy is church attendance the only prohibited purpose, and if a man may take a taxi to a theatre why may he not use a motor to go to church?
§ Mr. WARDLETaking a taxi to the theatre and taking a taxi to church is quite a different matter. He does not take a taxi to a theatre on Sunday.
§ Mr. MILLARWill the hon. Gentleman explain what the difference is?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe question that is put to me is not a question of taxis, but of motor cars.