121. Major Lloydasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is now the maximum allowance per six months for private hire cars and the mileage this petrol allows, whether he is aware that there is much dissatisfaction among owners of hire cars at the severe restriction in allowances, which means the frequent laying-up of cars for long periods; and if he will immediately raise the standard allocations.
§ Mr. RobensThe maximum allowance for chauffeur driven private hire cars is 405 gallons for six months, which, reckoned at an average consumption of 20 miles per gallon, provides approximately 8,000 miles. I am aware of the difficulties of some private hire-car operators but regret that present conditions do not permit any increase.