HC Deb 22 July 1941 vol 373 cc775-8
27. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he will have inquiries made as to the amount of petrol being wasted in motor-craft on the Thames, in motor-cars of people who motor to London every day when there is a good train service, and in joy-riding during week-ends at country and riverside hotels; and will he take the necessary action to withdraw petrol coupons used for these purposes?

The Secretary for Petroleum (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

The amount of petrol issued to motor-craft has been drastically rationed since the outbreak of the war, and the ration has recently been still further reduced. The use of supplementary rations for daily long-distance journeys to London where other means of transport are available, or for pleasure purposes, is a contravention of the conditions under which supplementary rations are issued, and will be dealt with as such.

Sir W. Smithers

Will my hon. Friend, in order to save shipping space, take the necessary steps to tighten up the control of petrol not used for essential services?

Mr. Lloyd

I announced a short time ago the balanced policy which the Government are adopting of enforcing strictly the use of supplementary rations for the purposes for which they are given, but at the same time, in the basic ration, leaving a certain small quantity of petrol within the free discretion of the user.

Mr. Shinwell

Why should my hon. Friend permit the use of petrol for small motor-craft for pleasure purposes? Surely that is something we can do without.

Mr. Lloyd

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. There are many considerations which have to be borne in mind. I would like to tell the House that a number of these craft, because they were in commission at- the time of the emergency, played an extremely useful part in the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Mr. Shinwell

If they are wanted for use for military purposes, cannot that be arranged?

28. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he has considered the desirability of abolishing completely the present basic petrol allowance after the current quarter or licensing period, in view of the assistance this would afford to the police and other inspecting authorities in checking abuse of supplementary allowances?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend's suggestion has been carefully considered, but having regard to the useful purposes served by the basic ration, the Government are of the opinion that it would not, in present circumstances, be in the public interest to abolish it.

Mr. Walkden

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the misuse of petrol at such events as dog-racing and Derby-day racing could have been avoided if the basic rations were eliminated?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not agree with my hon. Friend. I deprecate the heresy-hunting of motorists on every occasion. The proper policy is to issue a supplementary ration and to continue the great public benefit which is conferred by the possession of a certain amount of petrol within the free disposition of the users.

Mr. Shinwell

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have received a report from a ship-owner about 27 men who have been lost in the open sea off an oil tanker? Is that sort of thing good enough?

Viscountess Astor

Is it really conducive to fighting the war for people of all sorts at the week-end to be going slowly up and down the Thames in motor-boats?

30. Captain Lyons

asked the Secretary for Petroleum, in what circumstances, and subject to what restrictions, can motorcars now be privately hired with use of petrol; and what additional supply of petrol is available with the hiring, and subject to what control or restriction is it to be obtained?

Mr. Lloyd

The hire car is subject to a maximum ration, including both basic and supplementary, according to horse power, and the number of cars which may draw the hire car ration is limited. The supplementary ration has recently been reduced, and the basic will also be reduced in the next ration period. Within the limits of petrol thus allowed, the hire car proprietor allocates his available mileage among his various customers and types of business.

Captain Lyons

Does my hon. Friend realise that that means that a person can hire a car and use petrol without accounting for it; that there is no check upon the petrol used, so that any person who pays for petrol can use it and waste it; and that this has gone on during the whole time that petrol has been rationed?

Mr. Lloyd

As one of the measures which I recently announced, a conference is taking place between private car hirers and my Department to see whether we can reduce and, if possible, eliminate abuse in this connection. The House will appreciate that any solution which has to be adopted must have as its object the prevention of abuse and, at the same time, the avoidance of the withdrawal of an extremely useful public service.

Captain Lyons

Can there be no control on the purposes for which an individual may hire a car and use petrol? Otherwise, in spite of a dozen conferences, this abuse will go on.

Mr. Lloyd

We do not, in order to prevent a small abuse, wish to interfere with an important public service.

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