§ Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will issue supplementary petrol for a six months period, as is now done for basic, and close down the D.P. offices to the extent of 90 per cent, of personnel, and so save money and manpower.
§ Mr. Shinwell:No, Sir. Applicants for supplementary petrol are divided into four groups of more or less equal size and each group is rationed for succeeding periods of four months. This results in an even distribution of work and an economical use of staff. Any reclassification of applicants would require a period of several months to effect, during which considerable additional work in the regional offices would be involved. Little or no economy in staff would then result from the change.