HC Deb 10 December 1956 vol 562 c16W
83. Mr. Oram

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation which are the food delivery services for which he proposes to make petrol allocations additional to the basic allowance; and on what basis the additional allocations will be made.

Mr. Watkinson

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) on 5th December about supplementary rations for goods vehicles generally.

Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the disorganisation in the carriage from Aberdeen to the south of Scotland and to England of food and other essential commodities which the present fuel rationing plan will cause to producers, distributors and consumers and hauliers; that this disorganisation will cause widespread unemployment, loss and damage; if he will reconsider and amend the plan so as to permit these essential services to continue as heretofore; and if he will make an early announcement of the amended plan.

Mr. Watkinson

Long-distance traffics should, wherever possible, be diverted from road transport. If this cannot be done my Regional Transport Commissioners will consider applications for supplementary fuel rations for the carriage of food and other essential traffics. I have already circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 5th December the criteria which will govern the issue of supplementary rations.