§ Lieut.-Commander Tufnellasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a motor car belonging to a private motor car hire service is only allotted 16 gallons of petrol per month, whereas all other taximeter cars in the same district are allotted 60 gallons; and whether he will arrange for an immediate investigation into inequalities of this nature in connection with the petrol-rationing scheme?
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§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir, I am aware that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question if the vehicles referred to are rated at the same horse-power but I would remind my hon. Friend that private-hire cars are commonly used for different classes of work than that of taxis and different treatment is accordingly justified.
As regards the second half of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn).
§ Sir R. Blairasked the Secretary for Mines whether commercial traveller applicants for extra petrol, who can prove monthly mileage to be 2,000 to 2,500, receive the same ration as those who travel 500 to 1,000 miles per month, or are they considered on their merits?
§ Mr. LloydOwing to the very large number of applications for supplementary petrol coupons it was necessary in the first instance to issue a flat rate allowance for petrol supplies of commercial travellers, which is estimated to be sufficient for about 5,000 miles a year. The whole question of commercial travellers' petrol allowance is being discussed, not only with representatives of the commercial travellers' union but also with representatives of firms employing large numbers of commercial travellers, in an endeavour to secure a more equitable distribution of supplies.