Miss Wardasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, in view of the limited allocations of petrol to taxi-drivers, he has used the first surplus supplies to assist vehicles and omnibuses running on producer gas; and will he reconsider the position.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe decision referred to by my hon. Friend was taken not as a part of any scheme for the relaxation of petrol rationing, which, as I stated in reply to Questions on Tuesday, 26th 763W September, is not at present practicable, but because it was felt that the small additional consumption of petrol involved was justified by the saving in the manpower required for maintaining and servicing public service and commercial vehicles propelled by producer gas.
§ Mr. Magnayasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now allow the basic ration of petrol to be granted to responsible business executives, so that they may be able speedily to get round their districts to arrange their post-war business and keep their staffs fully employed.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to similar questions on 26th September.