§ 50. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Abingdon Rural Council, at its meeting on the 13th ultimo, refused to grant a number of applications for permission to store petrol except on the condition that no Russian petrol should be stored or sold: and whether, seeing that the rural council has no legal right to impose such a condition and in view of the precedent created by the Home Office at Barnstaple, he will inform the rural council as to the extent of their powers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have no information as to the alleged action of the council. I may remind the hon. Member that, by Section 10 of the Petroleum Act, if the local authority refuses a licence or grants one on conditions with which the applicant is dissatisfied, the applicant has a right of appeal to me. I do not think I can properly express an opinion upon cases which may come before me on appeal.
§ Mr. BAKERIs it not a fact that the Home Office intervened under similar circumstances at Barnstaple as is stated in the question?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. I have read the whole of the inquiry relating to the Barnstaple case, and, if I may say, with great respect, the hon. Member's statement is quite untrue.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs it not a fact that any local authority is entitled to protect itself against a legal action for receiving stolen property?