§ 2.43 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they can state clearly the reason for the continuance of petrol rationing; whether it is due to shortage of dollars, in view of the huge increase of production within the sterling area; whether it is due to shortage of tankers, in view of the very large amount of tanker tonnage completed or under construction within the sterling area; whether it is due to the Berlin Airlift; whether it is due to shortage of refining facilities within the sterling area; whether it is due to sending the savings of petrol by British motorists to Poland, the Argentine and other countries; whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to bring the system of petrol rationing to an end before the next General Election and, if so, when they anticipate being able to carry this out, indicating the governing factor.]
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, replying to this Question on behalf of my right honourable friend, I have to say that the continuance of petrol rationing in this country is due to the fact that any increase in consumption would involve additional dollar expenditure or a reduction in exports. We can afford neither at the present. Shortage of tankers is not a factor which limits imports of motor spirit into the United Kingdom at the moment. The output of motor spirit and other petroleum products by British companies is limited by the refinery capacity available, which is at present fully absorbed in meeting existing demands. The oil companies have plans for a very large expansion of refinery capacity, but these will not mature fully for some time.
The consumption of aviation spirit on the Berlin Airlift is only about 120,000 tons a year. Less than half of this would 237 be saved if the Airlift ceased, and these savings would be required for the expanding needs of civil aviation. Sales of motor spirit are made to many foreign countries, including, the Argentine, but not Poland. I am not in a position to say when it will be possible to bring the system of rationing to an end.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount the Leader of the House for the answer which he has given. May I ask him whether he will bear in mind that it is due to the suggestions of the motorists' organisations that some 20,000 tons of petrol have been saved every month? It is in the official statements that only 90,000 tons will be used in doubling the ration in June, July, and August May I ask whether he will consider giving British motorists the benefit of the remaining 130,000 tons which have been saved through these suggestions from their own organisations.
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONMy Lords, we will give the most friendly consideration, as we have already done, to what the noble Earl suggests. As I think he is well aware, the future supplies of non-dollar petrol are mainly dependent on the completion of the increased refining capacity, a matter which is now in hand.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, is not the suggestion that what we may save, or a large part of what we may save, on the possible cessation of the Berlin Airlift, will be expended on civil aviation (which I thought was contracting because sonic uneconomic services are to be discontinued) an entirely new suggestion, and one that the Government have never thought of before?
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONMy Lords, I am not aware of that. I hope the economies which are being now exercised by the air Corporations do not necessarily mean that there will be less flying; there are other methods of economising. I understand that the statement I have made is literally correct. Less than half of the amount would be saved, and it is anticipated that these savings will be required for purposes of civil aviation. That is a true statement.