HC Deb 20 March 1950 vol 472 cc1521-2
2. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now make a statement as to the future of the standard petrol ration.

4. Wing-Commander Hulbert

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make a statement with regard to increasing the basic petrol ration during the summer months.

5. Sir Ian Fraser

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now make a statement about the level of the standard petrol ration during the summer months.

10. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he proposes to make an increase in the basic petrol ration for the summer months.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)

Last summer a special holiday bonus of petrol was granted; the same arrangement will be made this year. As in 1949, the value of the coupons for June, July and August in the next standard ration book will be doubled; that is to say, for these months each coupon will be worth its face value in gallons, instead of half its face value, as it is now. This will increase the mileage allowed by the next standard ration book from about 540 miles to 810; motorists will be able, as they were last summer, to use all or any of the coupons in the books from early in May.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his failure to improve upon his predecessor's effort of last year will cause widespread disappointment, and can he explain why the motorist of this country is worse treated than in any other comparable country?

Mr. Noel-Baker

No one can be more disappointed than I am. Anyone holding my office desires to do as much as he can, but it is really a dollar question.

Sir I. Fraser

Could not the right hon. Gentleman extend the concession to include the month of September, because that month has a very important bearing upon the economics of seaside towns?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am willing to consider anything when we get to September but, in fact, these coupons can be used in any of the five months following the month shown upon them, and, therefore, I hope the hon. Gentleman's point is met.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing some figures showing stocks and imports in order to try to persuade people about the position? We have only his statement and that of his predecessor in regard to the dollar position, and we are getting a little tired of that excuse.

Mr. Noel-Baker

The right hon. Gentleman calls it an excuse. He knows as well as I do that it is one of the harsh basic facts which we have to face. I will consider anything.