HC Deb 17 December 1956 vol 562 cc921-2
13. Mr. Baird

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that 21 taxi drivers in Wolverhampton have already been made redundant; and what is the total extent of the cut in petrol supplies suffered by Wolverhampton taxi drivers.

27. Lieut.-Colonel

Cordeaux asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now considered the representations made to him on behalf of the Streamline Taxi Association of Nottingham and another owner of taxi-cabs in Nottingham for an increase in their petrol ration; and whether he can now make a statement.

Mr. Aubrey Jones

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) in a Written Answer on 14th December, I have decided, on the basis of further information, to increase the maximum provincial allowance for taxicabs to 100 gallons a month, and to increase the allowance for double-shift provincial taxis by a further 40 gallons a month.

Mr. Baird

While I thank the Minister for that reply, is he aware that the Wolverhampton taxi drivers claim that their petrol supplies have at present been cut by 73 per cent?

Mr. Jones

I question very much whether that figure is valid having regard to the arrangements which I have announced.

Lieut.-Colonel Cordeaux

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the taxi men of Nottingham, most of whom are owner-drivers, are extremely grateful to him for the very prompt and very generous action he has taken, which ensured that, on my arrival at the taxi rank last Friday night, I had a very much pleasanter reception that I was expecting?

Mr. Harold Davies

If the right hon. Gentleman can increase the petrol allocation to taxi drivers, will he reconsider the allocation of petrol in mining areas in respect of colliery vans which take key skilled colliers home after they have been doing split turns? Will he look into the position in the North Staffordshire coalfield where colliers, fillers, fitters and shot-firing men who finish in the early hours of the morning have been told that they will have to finish in time for public transport? Is the right hon Gentleman aware that, unless he looks into the matter, there will be a large percentage loss in the production of coal?

Mr. Jones

Arrangements are being made to ensure that firms whose production is threatened through the inability of some employees to get to work are fully safeguarded.