HC Deb 06 February 1957 vol 564 cc437-8
51. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether allocation of fuel to A, B and C licence operators has now reached an average of 75 per cent. overall of normal consumption.

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, Sir, but some operators will have received above the average and some below.

Mr. Nabarro

That is a very satisfactory answer, but can my right hon. Friend say where I can find one of these rare birds who has had more than 75 per cent.? Is my right hon. Friend aware that we are all affected by the complaints of very large numbers of operators that they have had much less than 75 per cent., and that I, in all my vast experience, have not found one with more than 75 per cent.?

Mr. Watkinson

I suggest that my hon. Friend would, perhaps, like to get in touch with one or two people who are on the priority list which was issued by my Ministry. I think he will find they are about average.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my personal experience is that the average is more like 30 per cent. than 75 per cent.? Will he bear in mind that although he may have said he aimed at an overall tonnage of 75 per cent. the vast majority of people read that as meaning that each would get 75 per cent.? Will he take steps to correct that impression, which has caused a lot of trouble?

Mr. Watkinson

I hope that my hon. Friend's supplementary question and my answer will be of some aid towards that end. The facts are that my duty is to reduce the total tonnage of consumption of motor fuel in my sector to 75 per cent.

Mr. Hayman

Will the Minister study the reply which was given to me by the Postmaster-General on Monday when I asked for the amounts of petrol allocated to Members of Parliament, because I think he will find—

Mr. Nabarro

On a point of order. This Question, Mr. Speaker, relates to goods vehicles. Can you say whether any Members of Parliament anywhere in this House own a goods vehicle?

Mr. Speaker

They may, for all I know, but I think that this is a different question. I was coming to the same conclusion myself.