HC Deb 14 July 1942 vol 381 cc1062-3
26. Sir H. Williams

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of magistrates in rural areas attending to their duties on account of the reduction in petrol supply; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to applications from magistrates for additional allowances?

Major Lloyd George

I am not aware of any general difficulty in this respect. Attendance of magistrates at their courts is recognised as justifying a petrol allowance where other means of transport are not available.

27. Mr. Summers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he proposes to take in connection with the issue of supplementary petrol allowances in the Nottingham division in view of the widespread dissatisfaction at the present practice in this respect; and whether he is prepared to consider the appointment of local panels of selected individuals to whom appeals may be sent by those who consider unwarranted hardship and interference with production results from the decision of local divisional officers?

Major Lloyd George

As regards the first part of the Question, I am not aware of any such widespread dissatisfaction. As regards the second, I regret that I cannot entertain my hon. Friend's suggestion, but would refer him to the reply I gave on 30th June to the hon. Member for Wansbeck (Mr. Donald Scott).

Mr. Summers

If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is not willing to institute some court of appeal in such cases, will he issue instructions that more attention is paid to individual cases rather than to broad categories of professions, which bear no relation to individual circumstances?

Major Lloyd George

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the decision of the divisional officer, he can, of course, make a further appeal for a request to be submitted to a higher authority. We have, however, begged people not to make these appeals unless they are satisfied that they are absolutely essential.

Sir Joseph Lamb

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this is not confined to Nottingham but is widespread? All Members are receiving considerable correspondence on the question.

Major Lloyd George

Of course I am. It is bound to be widespread if privileges are taken away. I know that there is inconvenience with regard to the petrol allowance.