§ 2.34 p.m.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can state the amount of petrol allocated to and consumed by members of the county agricultural committees for England and Wales for the year ending September 30, 1948.]
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I have been asked to reply to this question. The amount of petrol allocated to county agricultural executive committees for use by members and officers during the year ended September 30, 1948, was 1,874,000 gallons. Returns of actual consumption are not yet complete, but it is not expected that the amount consumed will be very different. I regret that separate figures for consumption by members of committees are not available.
§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I would ask whether he is aware of the waste that is going on, not only in the country generally, but in certain counties in particular. I would ask the noble Lord to make further inquiries, especially in view of the questions that I put down over a week ago, to which I received certain replies. I would ask him to make special inquiries in the county of Wiltshire, whether there is not an excessive use of petrol by the war agricultural committee at Ramsbury, and in the county generally. Further, I would ask whether the noble Lord is aware that, owing to the use of this petrol, the carrying of foot and mouth disease is the responsibility of the war agricultural committee in my county at the present moment.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMay I ask the noble Lord whether the figures given include petrol used by operational machinery, such as tractors?
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, with regard to the first two points, I will certainly convey the remarks of the noble Viscount and the noble Earl to the appropriate quarters. The figure I quoted does not include any petrol used for operational machinery.
§ VISCOUNT LONGI did not suggest that it was for operational machinery.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHI was not then answering the question of the noble Viscount. I was answering the question put by the noble Lord, Lord Carrington.