§ Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the heavy increase in numbers of personnel of His Majesty's Forces using the stations at Portsmouth, and, in view of the fact that the number of cabs has not increased, he will increase the petrol ration allowed, since many persons with luggage, including men returning from leave, are left without any means of transport?
§ Mr. LloydI am informed that while there has been a decided increase in the number of service men and their families travelling to and from Portsmouth by rail since the outbreak of war, there has also been a counteracting decrease in the number of civilian passengers, with the result that the position in regard to cabs is now about the same as it was previously. Further, it appears that the difficulty in obtaining a cab, which arises chiefly at the town station on the arrival of fast trains from London, is due not to the effect of the present rationing restrictions, but to lack of accommodation for cabs in the yards and approaches of the stations. In the circumstances, there does not seem to be any action which I can usefully take in this matter.