37. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the letter of the Divisional Petroleum Officer, at Reading, refusing to grant a small additional petrol supply to the Southampton Corporation in connection with a reconstruction scheme which it had been advised to undertake by the Minister of Reconstruction with the approval of the Minister of Health; and whether he intends to take steps to prevent, in future, the recurrence of this kind of action by this officer?
Mr. LloydYes, Sir; and I much regret that a mistake was made in the Divisional Petroleum Office. Instructions have been issued which should prevent its recurrence.
Dr. Russell ThomasDoes not my hon. Friend realise that letters written by the Divisional Petroleum Officer at Reading in reply to the very explanatory letters of the Town Clerk of Southampton, in reference to work undertaken by the Southampton Corporation on the advice 830 of the Ministry of Reconstruction and with the approval of the Ministry of Health, that these letters were the cause of delay on the one hand, and were curt, arrogant and dictatorial on the other, and more in accord with other manners and usages than with the principles we, in this House, constantly proclaim we are fighting for?