HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 cc864-5W
Sir C. Rawson

asked the Secretary for Mines why London taximeter-cabs, of 14 horse-power, are allowed 90 gallons of petrol per month and Brighton and Hove taximeter-cabs, of 14 horse-power, only 60 gallons per month?

Mr. Lloyd

Special reasons apply to London. Two thousand five hundred taxis were taken for the Auxiliary Fire Service. The special construction of London taxis gives a lower mileage in relation to horse-power. To meet the needs of the public it was therefore necessary to allow London taxis the maximum allowance for taxis. This is granted also to provincial taxis of high horse-power and consequently low mileage per gallon.

Sir C. Rawson

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give immediate personal attention to the case of Mr. F. C. Reeve, of Brighton, traveller for a firm of fire engineers, engaged on work of national importance, whose average is 4,000 miles per month, which, in his small motor-car needs from 108 to 120 gallons per month, and towards which he receives with small supplements only 26 gallons per month, and who has received seven acknowledgments that his case is under review; and whether he will award additional petrol at once to prevent him seeking unemployment benefit?

Mr. Lloyd

This case has already received my attention. Mr. Reeve has been granted an allowance corresponding with that granted to others engaged on comparable work.