§ Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the extent to which private motorcar owners are conducting unauthorised hire business in the Manchester district to the detriment of licensed men, including ex-Servicemen; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this
§ Mr. Shinwell:No, Sir. Provided that the owner of a vehicle has the appropriate Excise Licence and insurance, he needs no additional authorisation for the operation of a private hire car on the basic petrol ration only and it would not be practicable to regulate the use of this ration in such a case. If, however, the hon. Member has evidence that owners of such cars are obtaining supplies of petrol in contravention of the Control of Motor Fuel Order, I shall be glad to have particulars.