HC Deb 20 March 1950 vol 472 cc1526-7
15. Mr. John Grimston

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider freeing the sale of diesel oil for road vehicles, which will make a saving in administrative cost without incurring extra dollar expenditure.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have considered the proposal to de-ration the sale of diesel oil with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. We are agreed that, while the proposal has many attractions, it would, in fact, increase the consumption of diesel oil, and would thus cost more dollars. It would also discriminate unfairly against vehicles which run on petrol, and would create anomalies of other kinds. For these reasons, I regret that I cannot adopt the proposal made by the hon. Member.

Mr. Grimston

While thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask whether it is not a fact that if we wish to make a saving in administrative expenditure here is one method which we can adopt?

Mr. Noel-Baker

If I thought that this suggestion would mean less use of petrol, I should think it extremely attractive, but I think it only means more use of diesel oil.

Sir H. Williams

Why does the right hon. Gentleman talk of dollars all the time? There is plenty of petrol from sterling areas, so why does he not get it?

Mr. Noel-Baker

The hon. Members knows that all the sterling oil is used.

Sir H. Williams

Where?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Any additional oil used here must cost dollars.

Sir H. Williams

Why?