HC Deb 04 June 1946 vol 423 cc1790-2
19. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the tonnage of petrol imported into this country in April, 1945, and April, 1946, respectively.

Mr. Gaitskell

According to the Trade and Navigation Accounts, imports of motor spirit into the United Kingdom in April, 1946, were 352,000 tons. The corresponding figure for April, 1945, was 371,000 tons.

Sir T. Moore

Can we infer from that reply that, in view of the fact that petrol is not now required in such great quantities for the Services, we can look forward to an early increase in the basic ration?

Mr. Gaitskell

No, Sir.

Sir T. Moore

Why not?

Mr. Gaitskell

Because every additional gallon of petrol we consume in the home market has to be paid for in dollars.

Sir T. Moore

A most unsatisfactory answer.

22. Mr. Wadsworth

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the cost of the administration of the petrol rationing system of control; and the number of employees engaged in this administration.

Mr. Gaitskell

The number of staff employed on petrol rationing on 1st June, 1946, in England, Scotland and Wales was 1,786. The cost of this staff is approximately £460,000 per annum. In addition, the cost of petroleum ration- ing in Northern Ireland, amounting to approximately £45,000 per annum, is reimbursed by this Ministry.

Mr. Wadsworth

In view of the large cost of administering the petrol rationing scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider abolishing petrol rationing in order to bring us into line with other countries in Europe? Does he not realise that such action would release a large number of employees who are wanted urgently in other industries?

Mr. Gaitskell

There is nothing my right hon. Friend would like to do more than abolish petrol rationing, but unfortunately, as I explained earlier, it would cost us a lot more dollars if he were to do so.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

How can the hon. Gentleman explain his.answer about dollars, in view of the fact that in Burma oil from which petrol can be refined can be obtained without the necessity of having to spend any dollars at all?

Mr. Gaitskell

We have, over the sterling area as a whole, to import petrol from dollar sources.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Is it not a fact that petrol stocks in this country today are greater than at any time in its history?

Mr. Gaitskell

I do not think that is relevant to the Question.

25. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the 351,000,000 gallons of petrol imported into this country, in the first two months of 1946, was purchased with dollar exchange.

Mr. Gaitskell

The figure of 351,000,000 gallons of petrol, mentioned by the hon. Member, relates to the quantities of imported petrol which entered home consumption during the first two months of the year, and not to the imports into this country, which were 283,000,000 gallons during these months. of this quantity about 46 per cent. were purchased with dollar exchange.

Mr. Spence

In view of that answer, how does the hon. Gentleman justify the reply which he gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), to Question No. 19.

Mr. Gaitskell

It seems to me to justify that reply completely.

28. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much less petrol is used per month now than was used in the latest corresponding month prewar for which he has statistics and how petrol imported per month now compares with petrol imported in the latest prewar corresponding month.

Mr. Gaitskell

As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Bossom

Would the Minister not do away with this nonsense of petrol rationing?

Mr. Gaitskell

I have already expressed my views on that subject.

Following is the answer:

The quantities of motor spirit imported and of imported motor spirit entered for home consumption in the month of March, 1946 and 1939 respectively, as published in the Trade and Navigation Accounts, were as follow:

Imports
Gallons.
March, 1946 … … … 182,000,000
March, 1939 … … … 135,000,000
March, 1938 … … … 121,000,000
Imported Motor Spirit entered for Home Consumption
Gallons.
March 1946 … … … 85,000,000
March, 1939 … … … 118,000,000
March, 1938 … … … 109,000,000

Both series of figures include military as well as civil requirements.