§ 44. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will reconsider the question of petrol storage for farmers who have fewer than five vehicles, to enable them to save the time now wasted in collecting it in small quantities.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe distribution of petrol for farmers, as for other customers, is done by commercial companies, who decide for themselves what methods they will use.
§ Mr. BossomIs the Minister agreeable to allowing this distribution to all farmers who have sufficient storage, and not only to those who have more than five vehicles?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI understand that, under the arrangements in force before, eight companies had delivered to all farmers who have bulk storage capacity, but I could not give instructions to the companies to deliver direct to individual consumers.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydWould the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that there is no official limitation on the right of private storage?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThere is no official control at all. I do not know whether the Opposition now suggest that there should be some official control, but there is none, and I should be very reluctant to impose it.
§ Mr. BossomWill the Minister give an assurance that he will have no objection to stocking up by farmers who have bulk storage capacity, if the companies will let them have the petrol?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI have no objection, but I can well conceive that deliveries to individual consumers might mean a wasteful use of transport. If farmers have a grievance, they can take it to the Oil Consumers' Council, on which the National Farmers' Union is represented.