§ 20. Mr. McGovernasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many Scottish traders who have commercial vehicles on the road carrying goods as samples have been compelled to withdraw these vehicles due to lack of petrol; and will he inquire into this position and see that such traders from Scotland are not penalised as against English firms?
§ Mr. LloydIf the hon. Member is referring to private cars used by commercial travellers I would refer him to the reply I gave on 17th October to a question by the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons). The arrangements referred to in that answer apply to Scotland equally with England.
§ Mr. McGovernIf I can show the hon. Gentleman evidence of the penalisation of these firms, will he give consideration to the matter?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir, but I am not sure whether the hon. Member has yet appreciated the effect of the new arrangement which is coming into force.
§ Mr. McGovernYes, but in spite of that, is there not penalisation?
§ 21. Mr. Markhamasked the Secretary for Mines what representations he has received from the Nottingham Streamline Taximeter-cab Owners Association on the subject of petrol allowances; and whether he has decided to raise this from 50 to 90 gallons per month per taximeter-cab, as is already the case in London?
§ Mr. LloydThe representations I have-received are that Nottingham taxis should receive the same monthly allowance of petrol as the London taxis. At the end of September I reviewed the position in regard to provincial taxis and agreed to an increase in the maximum grant to-bring it up to the same level as for London for taxis of the same horse-power. The taxis employed by the Nottingham Streamline Taxi Service are of considerably lower horse-power than those used in London and they have been given an allowance appropriate to their horsepower. As at present advised, therefore, I regret that I cannot see my way to grant any further concession.
§ Mr. MarkhamIs the Minister aware that 50 gallons for a 12 horse-power car would not take the vehicle nearly as far as 90 gallons for a 16 horse-power car; and in view of the special circumstances in the Nottingham area, will be receive special representations so that the whole question can be gone into thoroughly?
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithWill the hon Gentleman consider rationing petrol, as far as London is concerned, on the basis of the man and not of the cab, having regard to the fact that the London County Council has commandeered so many cabs that cabs are now being what we call doubled; that is to say, there are two men to a cab; and would he consider this matter having regard to the driver and not the vehicle?
§ Mr. LloydI am aware of the difficulty which is caused by the reauisitioning,. but that is a different question and I would not like to give an undertaking of the kind for which the hon. Member asks.
§ 26. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider an alteration in the date of issue of petrol-ration books, so that the coupons in each book commence to be available on the first day of the month?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir. I have already decided in connection with the next issue of ration books to give effect to the suggestion contained in the question and also to indicate on the coupons contained in the ration books the period of validity.