§ 4. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether overseas visitors who purchase secondhand cars can now be given the same 1473 facilities in regard to petrol allowances as are made available to overseas visitors purchasing new cars in this country.
§ 18. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now come to a decision on the possibility of making an allowance of petrol available for visitors to Britain who wish to use friends' cars.
§ Mr. GaitskellI have come to the conclusion that arrangements can be made whereby, without undue risk of black market operations developing, a small supplementary petrol allowance can be issued to visitors from overseas who borrow a car here or buy one secondhand. Accordingly, as from 1st June, such visitors will be able to obtain a special allowance of petrol sufficient for 250 miles of motoring, in addition to any standard ration available with the car. Each visitor will be entitled to only one allowance in a period of six months, and not more than one allowance will be issued for any one car in the same period. Further details will be announced shortly.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerIs the Minister aware that the removal of this restriction so far will give considerable satisfaction, and will he endeavour to remove it still further?
§ Mr. GaitskellI think we had better wait and see how the plan works out in practice.
§ Mr. Douglas MarshallCan the Minister say whether, where his regional officers have turned down recent requests, they will in fact take up those cases immediately in case sufficient publicity is not given to this matter?
§ Mr. GaitskellPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would await the further details which will be announced very shortly.
§ Mr. GaitskellIt is a small allowance, but I am satisfied that if we were to give a larger one the danger of abuse would be very great indeed.