HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 c2120
64. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what reason petrol is given to motor boats and vessels with auxiliary engines which are for hire, but is refused to owners of such craft.

Mr. Gaitskell

Because the owners of these vessels generally depend for their livelihod on letting them for hire.

Mr. Keeling

In the national interest, would it not be better to spend a small amount of dollars on petrol for these craft, which provide training in seamanship, rather than a large amount of dollars on diesel oil for the new and very speculative Thames buses?

Mr. Gaitskell

That is quite a different question.