§ 15 and 16. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether in view of the decision of a Scottish court that the presence of diphenylamine in motor spirit cannot be proved conclusively by analysis, he proposes to revoke S.I., 1948, No. 1127; and whether he will abandon any proceedings instituted in reliance upon the definition of commercial petrol therein contained;
(2) whether in view of the decision of a Scottish court that the presence of commercial petrol as defined in S.I., 1948, No. 1127, cannot be proved by analysis, he will introduce legislation to rescind penalties imposed under the Motor Spirit (Regulation) Act, 1948, and the said instrument.
§ Mr. GaitskellI do not propose to revoke this order, to abandon any proceedings, or to introduce legislation to rescind penalties imposed. I have, however, amended the order to make it clear that "diphenylamine" for this purpose includes other closely related substances— 11 the nuclear substituted diphenylamines—which the test used does not distinguish from diphenylamine itself.
§ Sir J. MellorIs it not the case that, owing to inaccurate evidence supplied by the Ministry, a number of persons have been convicted and punished; and does the right hon. Gentleman mean to leave that there?
§ Mr. GaitskellIt is not for me to reflect on the decisions of the courts in these matters.
§ Sir J. MellorThere is no reflection on the decisions of the courts. I asked the right hon. Gentleman—
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Rhys Davies.