§ 3. Mr. Silkinasked the Secretary for Petroleum whether, with a view to conserving the supply of petrol, he will take steps to review more frequently the issue of supplementary rations of petrol?
§ The Secretary for Petroleum (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)Supplementary rations are reviewed at intervals of two months, except in the case of large industrial users, where the period is one month. On balance, I do not think that a more frequent review would be advantageous.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the Minister say what he means by "review"? Is a long list quickly scanned by an official, or are those to whom supplementary rations are issued communicated with and asked to establish their cases?
§ Mr. LloydIn some cases, if the case is clear, an allowance is made, but in other cases there is a more detailed investigation.
§ 4. Mr. Silkinasked the Secretary for Petroleum whether, with a view to eliminating the use of petrol for pleasure purposes and otherwise conserving the supply of petrol, he will make provision that no petrol be supplied except to those who prove to the satisfaction of his Department that a supply of petrol is reasonably necessary to them having regard to existing circumstances?
§ Mr. LloydThe greater part of the petrol allowed to private motorists is in the form of supplementary rations, which are authorised only after investigation of the consumer's needs. The small basic ration allows of less than six miles travel per day, and, after meeting necessary domestic purposes, cannot give any appreciable surplus for misuse.
§ Mr. SilkinDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that some such step as this is necessary in order to make people realise that there is a war on?