HC Deb 22 April 1918 vol 105 cc688-9W
Captain D. HALL

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Petrol Control Committee are granting a much larger allowance of petrol in the case of cars which were licensed to ply for hire by a local authority prior to May, 1917, and are still so licensed, than to the cars which have been so licensed after that date?

Mr. WARDLE

Prior to May, 1917, the allowance of motor spirit granted in the case of motor cabs which were licensed to ply for hire by a police or local authority was larger than that granted for hire cars, in view of the local control and the greater public service rendered by the cabs. Since that date many owners of private hire cars have arranged for their vehicles to be licensed to ply for hire in order to avoid the restrictions imposed upon hire cars. I regret that, in view of the shortage of motor spirit, the allowance of petrol for cars, the character of which has been so changed, cannot be increased beyond the quantity which they would have received had their character remained unaltered.