HL Deb 14 May 1957 vol 203 cc642-3

3.3 p.m.

LORD MILLS

My Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I should now like to make my statement. Petrol stocks in this country are at a satisfactory level, and now that interim arrangements have been made for the resumption of traffic through the Suez Canal, the Government have decided that petrol rationing can now be brought to an end. I have to-day made an Order giving effect to this decision from to-morrow.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for his statement, which I am certain will be received with great satisfaction in all quarters of your Lordships' House, as well as throughout the country. May I ask him this question: will he forthwith, now that he has deemed it expedient to bring petrol supplies back to normal, have an inquiry made into the price build-up of petrol to see that all the uplift and price increases in petrol that were brought about by petrol rationing and the reason for petrol rationing are reduced as soon as possible?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that that matter already has my attention and that the petrol companies know my views on the matter. I hope that a decision will be made very shortly.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

Might I ask the noble Lord whether, if a Question is addressed to him at his convenience in a reasonable space of time, he will be prepared to answer?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I do not quite understand that question. Of course I will answer any Question that is addressed to me. On this subject of prices I have already assured the noble Lord that the matter has my attention.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

I should not like the noble Lord to be under any misapprehension. It was not a trick question, but experience has proved that imposts and surcharges which are put on the prices of commodities such as petrol in time of emergency have an uncomfortable habit of "staying put".

LORD MILLS

My Lords, in reply to the noble Lord, I can say that I am hopeful that he will have further information this week.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

I thank the noble Lord very much.