§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what estimate he has made of the weekly amount of petrol and oil fuel that will be saved in Scotland as a result of rationing.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe approximate weekly tonnages expected to be saved in Scotland by petrol rationing and the other restrictions I have announced are:
| Motor Spirit | … | 2,000 |
| Diesel fuel for road vehicles | … | 600 |
| Fuel Oil | … | 1,500 |
| Gas/Diesel oil | … | 1,000 |
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that those figures show that great hardship will be inflicted on the people of Scotland as a result of his rationing proposals? Does he realise that fuel rationing is a much greater hardship to people living in rural districts in Scotland than to those in suburban districts in the south of England? Will he examine the case with a view to giving people in Scotland an extra ration?
§ Mr. JonesIn response to the interjections which prefaced the supplementary question, the figures I gave were weekly tonnages. In reply to the hon. Member's question, it never crossed my mind before that the Scots were less public-spirited than others who live in these islands. As a matter of fact, restrictions suffered in Scotland are not quite so severe as in the rest of the country, and not nearly so severe in regard to fuel oil.
Mr. LeeCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is stated on the front of the book of coupons:
This book is the property of His Majesty's Government.Was it anticipated as long ago as that?