§ 62. Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware how seriously the abolition of the basic petrol ration, in view of the limited public transport services available, is interfering with and depressing life in country districts; and whether, in order to restore vigour and activity, and in fairness to those who live and work in the 52W country, he will consider the early restoration of a basic ration.
§ 68. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the hardship caused to many by the abolition of the basic petrol ration, the injury to trade and industry, including hotels, the effect on dollar income from overseas tourists, the dissatisfaction with the granting of supplementary petrol rations and the cost in money and manpower of administration, he will now announce when a basic petrol ration will be restored.
§ Mr. GaitskellI am aware of the many disadvantages resulting from the withdrawal of the basic petrol ration, but I regret that it is not possible at present to consider its reintroduction.
§ 67. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the revised estimate of the net dollar saving resulting from the abolition of the basic petrol ration; what is the additional cost of its administration; and what is the loss to the revenue.
§ Mr. GaitskellWith regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Philips Price). The additional cost of administering the petrol rationing scheme is equivalent to approximately £120,000 a year. I am informed that the loss to the Customs of a cut of 1 million tons in motor spirit consumption would be approximately £11 million. The loss of motor vehicle duties for the current financial year cannot yet be finally estimated, since it depends largely on the number of licences taken out this month, but it may be about £8 million.