§ 35. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the price of petrol to users in the Outer Hebrides and the amount by which this exceeds mainland prices; the reasons for the higher prices paid in the Outer Hebrides; and when he proposes to end this discrimination against the islands?
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)The retail price of petrol in Lewis is 2s. 4d. per gallon, which is 1½d. per gallon higher than the price on the North Mainland of Scotland. In the other islands of the Outer Hebrides the price is rather higher. I cannot agree that there has been any discrimination against the islands, as His Majesty's Government has simply approved the continuation of the pre-war practice of charging to petrol consumers in remote areas part of the additional distribution costs.
§ Mr. MacMillanIn view of the fact that all the petrol used in these islands is used in one or another form of public service, why should there be this extra charge?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIt is purely the continuation of a practice which was accepted before the war. The difference is exactly the same as existed then, and it is not confined to petrol.
§ Mr. MacMillanDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that if a wrong practice existed before the war it should be continued now?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not accept that this was a wrong practice.
§ Mr. MacMillanWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give me any real justification why the people in the Outer Hebrides should be penalised by having to pay higher prices?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIt is very much more difficult to get the commodity there and much more expensive.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs it not the case that certain rationed foods and various other commodities are sold there at the same price as in other parts of the country?