5. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that a number of Regional Petroleum officers throughout the country were unable to deal with late applications by 1st September for agricultural petrol, and of the need for harvesting and increased food production, he will consider derationing the red petrol for agricultural purposes forthwith.
§ Mr. GaitskellNo, Sir. It would not be practicable to deration red petrol for agricultural purposes only, and I have come to the conclusion with regret that its general derationing would inevitably be accompanied by a substantial increase in consumption which we cannot afford.
Mr. De la BèreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a tremendous waste of man-hours in filling up form R.S.M.6 by farmers when they are very short-handed, and does he not realise that, owing to the time spent in filling up forms, there is a loss of food production, and will he take steps to have this form abolished?
§ Mr. GaitskellI promised that I would consider the matter as soon as we saw what was the effect of red petrol. I have done that, and have consulted my Advisory Committee, and they are satisfied that we should not de-ration red petrol. The form has only to be filled up twice a year, and there is no evidence that it causes undue hardship to farmers.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not a fact that this last harvest would have been easier to get in if farmers had not to bother about these forms, and do not they want more food and less forms?
§ 25. Mr. Gerald Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what machinery exists for considering appeals for more petrol by dissatisfied farmers.
§ Mr. GaitskellAppeals by farmers are dealt with by a specially trained staff and, where necessary, are referred to the county agricultural executive committee for advice. Consultation also takes place between the regional petroleum officers and county secretaries of the National Farmers Union.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that owing to the widespread cut in white petrol there are a great many dissatisfied farmers, and that, although many had been getting too much before, those struggling along on just a little are now extremely hard hit?
§ Mr. GaitskellI am afraid that the farmers are not the only people dissatisfied with their allocation of white petrol, but I am sure that they appreciate the benefit to the country to which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently referred.
§ Mr. WilliamsThe Minister promised the farmers that they would not go short of petrol because of the necessity of producing food, but now he is letting them down.
§ Mr. GaitskellI was referring to white petrol; we use red petrol for producing food.