§ 18. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Foxasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether consideration has been given to the possibility of reversing P.L.U.T.O. and temporarily continuing the output of the German synthetic oil plants and using the wartime system of pipelines to bring petrol to this country from Germany to increase the basic ration.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe pipeline system known as P.L.U.T.O. has been discontinued and much of the equipment has already been removed. None of the German synthetic oil plants in the British zone is working and accordingly supplies of petrol from Germany are not available.
§ Sir G. FoxIs the Minister aware that petrol rationing is strangling the economic life of the country?
§ Mr. ShinwellThat is quite a different question.