Petrol Ration, Withdrawal (Hansard, 10 November 1947)

§ 72. Mr. Medlicott
asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to increase the number of omnibuses serving country areas, having regard to the fact that there are already insufficient numbers of these vehicles and that overcrowding and discomfort will increase through private cars being taken off me roads.

§ 77. Mr. Tolley
asked the Minister of Transport, now that the basic petrol ration has been abolished, imposing a greater strain upon an already overburdened transport system, what steps he is taking to provide the transport necessary to convey people to and from their place of employment, and to afford opportunity for the housewife to do her shopping, especially in country districts.

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. James Callaghan)
I would refer to the answer which I gave on 27th October to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). I will send the hon. Members a copy

§ Mr. Medlicott
Is the Minister aware that he and his colleagues who have made this decision with regard to basic petrol live and work in London where there is an amplitude of transport of all kinds—[HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."]—in comparison with that in the country. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] He seems to have no conception of the real inconvenience and hardship that will be caused by the withdrawal of a large amount of transport in the country. Will he do his utmost to increase the number of public service vehicles which will be available?

§ Mr. Callaghan
Transport in the country is not being withdrawn. We are constantly dealing with applications made by bus operators and others to increase the number of buses running in the country districts, and that is, in fact, being done.

§ Mr. Tolley
When these applications are made, will my hon. Friend see that as much as possibleis allocated without delay?

§ Mr. Callaghan
There is no delay at all.

§ Mr. Tolley
May I point out to my hon. Friend that I have had some trouble in connection with this matter in my own constituency?

§ Mr. Eden
Since one of the hon. Gentleman's colleagues at the week-end was complaining of the selfishness of motor car owners in this matter, will he investigate it with the Minister of Agriculture, who will explain to him that in the rural areas it is not a question of the selfishness of motor car owners, but of the absolute necessity of the rural communities?

§ 8 Sir T. Moore
asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated increase annually in the number of people who will have to be carried by road or rail as a result of the termination of the basic petrol ration; and what steps he has taken to supplement road and rail transport in order to carry the additional travellers.

§ Mr. Callaghan
No reliable estimate can be made. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 27th October to the hon. Member for Tonbridge (Mr. G. Williams).

§ Sir T. Moore
In regard to the first part of the answer, is this not yet another illustration of the casual and thoughtless attitude which the Government are adopting?

§ Mr. Speaker
That is not asking for information. It is merely making an implication and an inference.