HC Deb 20 April 1943 vol 388 cc1511-2
9. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he has taken arising from the letter sent to him from Doncaster by a seaman now serving on a tanker, which among other evidence declares that a private hire motor-car is used by two people two or three times each week for a joy-ride of 20 miles in the country?

Major Lloyd George

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Mr. Walkden

Does not the Minister think it now time that the use of the hire service, and also taxi-cabs, to go to dog tracks should be stopped without delay, and is he aware that this is a general practice throughout the country?

Major Lloyd George

As I said in answer to the hon. and gallant Member below the Gangway, it has nothing to do with me. As long as these things are allowed by Parliament to continue, it is not for me to say that they should be stopped.

Mr. Shinwell

Cannot the Minister terminate the supply of petrol?

Major Lloyd George

No, Sir. As long as any occupation is legal it is not for me to stop the supply of petrol. I must carry out what Parliament decides.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Minister satisfied that his Department can afford the petrol, and if he is not, why does he not make representations to the proper quarter?

Major Lloyd George

If I were to give the figure of the consumption of petrol at the present time it would give the enemy quite a wrong impression of the state of things.

Mr. Shinwell

I am not asking the Minister to give any figure for the satisfaction of the enemy; I am asking whether he can afford the petrol. Surely he can say "Yes" or "No"?

Major Lloyd George

"Yes" or "No" is not the proper answer, if I may with great respect say so to my hon. Friend. After all, the obvious thing to-day is to prevent all sorts of things so as to benefit the war effort, but he knows as well as I do that you cannot do without a certain amount of relaxation which must be had by the people of this country.

Sir W. Smithers

Is it not possible, in issuing the petrol to the Petroleum Officers, to specify the uses for which the petrol might be used, and therefore limit the supply?

Sir Herbert Williams

Does not the Minister think there are too many heresy hunters about?