HC Deb 14 November 1939 vol 353 cc579-81W
Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now able to state the result of his consideration of the hardship to motor traders by the cash-before-delivery terms on pool petrol; and the action he proposes to take to alleviate it?

Mr. Lloyd

I am informed by the Petroleum Board that under war conditions they consider cash before delivery a necessary system of trading, and I do not see my way to intervene in the matter.

Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many coroners have not been granted a reasonable supply of petrol to enable them to carry out their work; and whether he will take steps to remedy this difficulty?

Mr. Lloyd

Instructions have already been issued to divisional petroleum officers to grant to coroners the necessary allowances of petrol to enable them to carry out their essential duties.

Mr. Lyons

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will publish a statement showing the names and salaries of staffs, other than clerical and messengers, employed in London and the provinces, respectively, in connection with the scheme of petrol rationing; and their previous occupations before present appointment?

Mr. Lloyd

Following is the information:

Divisional Petroleum Officers.
Name. Salary PerAnnum. Previous Occupation.
£
F. E. M. Beatley, O.B.E. M.Inst.T. 800 Retired Home or Colonial Civil Servants.
Colonel W. E. H. Bradburn 800
W. W. Marsh, C.B.E. 800
F. J. Salmon, C.M.G., M.C. 800
R. H. Whitehorn 800
R. B. Crabb 750
Hon. H. B. Hermon Hodge 750
W. Morgan, C.M.G 750
J.L.Allen 650
B. A. Warner, C.M.G. 650
W. Armour 500
Lieut.-Colonel A. M. Cockshott 750. Retired Army Officers.
Major G. T. Wright 700
A. Lyons 750 Business or Profession.
Captain C. C. Webb, R.B.A. A.R.E. 750
J. Mackenzie 650.

Assistant Divisional Petroleum Officers.
A. K. Beauchamp 500 Retired Home or Colonial Civil Servants.
K. A. B. Cockrane 500
W. M. Hyne 500
J. B. Marshall 500
H. H. Middleton 500
G. L. Monk 500
M. J. V. Otter 500
G. H. R. St. J. Owen 500
A. A. L. Roberts 500
P.S.Williams 500
R. E. B. Woods 500
P. A. T. Simey 450
J. L. Trafiord 450
S. V. L. De M. Gordon 400
E. Hazelton 400
G.W.Izard 400
E. R. Langley 400
F. J. Mosten 400
L. H. Shelton 400,
Lieut.-Colonel W. B. P. Tugwell 500 Retired Army Officer.
H. G. Beadle 500 Business or Profession.
H. V. Cobbold 500
R. L. Paton 500
C. P. Preston 500
Major B. Rayner 500.

Mr. Montague

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that letters to divisional petroleum officers from commercial travellers are answered only after great delay; that applications for additional petrol supplies are held up some- times for weeks; and will he look into the matter with a view to remedying this state of affairs?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir. I am aware that during the period required to bring into operation the revised arrangements under which the supplementary allowances of certain classes of commercial travellers are to be increased, delays have unavoidably taken place in the divisional petroleum offices in dealing with correspondence. All the divisional offices will, I hope, be in a position to operate the new arrangement promptly during the rationing period commencing on 23rd November.

Mr. Davidson

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the representations made to him, dated 7th November, 1939, by the private-hire motor car and taximeter cab owners of Glasgow; and, if so, has he any statement to make?

Mr. Lloyd

The representations to which the hon. Member refers are under consideration. As regards the second part of the question I have nothing at present to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson) on 2nd November.

Sir M. Sueter

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give an assurance that medical officers with scattered country practices are receiving sufficient petrol from the petrol control officer to enable them to discharge their medical duties efficiently?

Mr. Lloyd

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 1st November to a question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves), of which I am sending him a copy.