§ 30. Lord John Hopeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will review the conditions on which petrol is allocated to owners of self-drive hire cars in Edinburgh.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe conditions on which petrol is allocated to owners of hire cars, whether chauffeur-driven or self-drive, are similar throughout the country. The need for additional hire cars in any particular place is assessed in the light of all other transport facilities in the area, including existing hire-car services.
I have recently received a report on the position in Edinburgh and am satisfied that the number of self-drive hire cars at present available in the city is adequate. But I propose to arrange for a further review before the next tourist season.
§ Lord John HopeHow can the Minister say that—this happened a week after I had received a letter from his hon. Friend in the terms in which he has just replied—when the Scottish Tourist Board announced that, after carrying out a very careful survey, they realised that only 50 per cent. of the demand had been able to be met during last summer? The right hon. Gentleman really must get this thing straight.
§ Mr. GaitskellI cannot accept that the opinion of the hire-car operators themselves is necessarily final in this matter.
§ Lord John HopeNo, this was the Scottish Tourist Board.
§ Mr. William ShepherdIs the Minister able to say whether he pursued the normal course in this matter or an abnormal course? Did he consult only the police before he came to this decision?
§ Mr. GaitskellI consulted my own officers, who took what advice they thought was necessary, including, no doubt, that of the police.
§ Mr. ShepherdBut did they consult any bodies other than the police?
§ Mr. GaitskellI do not think so. They have not themselves received any complaints from tourists that they were unable to obtain these facilities.
§ Sir William DarlingWould the Minister consider consulting the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Edinburgh, which is well informed on these matters?
§ Mr. GaitskellI am perfectly prepared to consider advice from anybody.
§ Lord John HopeSurely the Minister does not confuse the Scottish Tourist Board with the owner-drivers? Why did he say that he would not take the opinion of the owner-drivers as final? I did not ask him to do so.
§ Mr. GaitskellBecause, according to my information, the Scottish Tourist Board received their information from the hire-car operators.
§ Lord John HopeI give notice, Mr. Speaker, that had I been at all lucky in the ballot in the last three weeks, I would have raised this matter on the Adjournment.