§ 24. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated saving in dollars by the curtailment of the basic ration in the Channel Islands.
§ Mr. GaitskellUp to the present petrol has been rationed in Guernsey alone. The estimated saving resulting from the abolition of the basic ration is 640 tons a year, the approximate cost of which, at present prices, would be 28,800 U.S. dollars. I understand that rationing will be introduced in Jersey on 1st January, but I have no reliable estimate of the saving which will follow.
§ Sir W. SmithersCan the Minister justify this insignificant saving? Does it not reduce the whole of his scheme to a farce? Has he realised that the withdrawal of the basic ration in the Channel Islands and elsewhere is a definite stoppage of our ability to recover?
§ Mr. GaitskellI am not responsible for what the Governments of the Channel Islands do, but I think we should be grateful to them for playing their part, and helping us in this matter.