HL Deb 25 November 1947 vol 152 cc839-40
LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can guarantee to continue to grant petrol allowances in due season for labour-saving gardening machinery used in private gardens, including mowers.]

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, I am afraid that in present circumstances the provision of petrol for gardening machinery used in private gardens must be limited to machinery used for the regular production of food for the market, although an allowance is made for sports grounds and public parks. The restoration of the allowance for private gardens, like that of the basic petrol ration, will depend on the balance of payments position.

LORD SALTOUN

Will the noble Lord supplement that answer? Does that apply to market gardeners who purchase machines in future as well as to those which have been purchased in the past?

LORD CHORLEY

The question is directed to the use of labour-saving machinery used in private gardens and not in market gardens. I think the noble Lord must have misunderstood the purpose of the question.

LORD HAWKE

Do the Government wish to encourage people to grow food both for themselves and possibly as a surplus for the market later?

LORD CHORLEY

Certainly.

EARL DE LA WARR

Do the Government realize that a great number of private gardens, though not in any way registered as market gardens, do supply a great number of visitors and employees with food? The noble Lord has missed that in his answer.

LORD CHORLEY

I shall be very glad to bring the noble Lord's observations to the attention of my right honourable friend.