§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary for Petroleum whether, having regard to the importance of conserving petrol, he will state the reasons for permitting taximeter-cabs to cruise for hire on London streets; and whether he will take steps to prevent such use of petrol, which places at a disadvantage those drivers who await fares on a rank?
Mr. LloydI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to his similar Question on 18th April. As most hirings are for a single journey, unhired travelling cannot altogether be avoided, but there has been an appreciable reduction of such travelling since petrol rationing was introduced.
§ Mr. Leachasked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he will now review the position in regard to private and pleasure motoring, bearing in mind the damage to public morale caused by the spectacle of luxury travel in the midst of a war, and the possible menace of recent events to the supplies of petrol?
Mr. LloydI would refer to the answers given to Questions by the hon. Member on 18th June. The position is kept under constant review in the light of all the factors involved.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he is aware that the petrol allowance for the vehicles for the British Red Cross is only two gallons per motor car per day; and whether he will consider increasing the supply of petrol for these vehicles?
Mr. LloydNo general ration has been fixed either for vehicles owned by the British Red Cross Society or for private cars which the owners use partly for the society's work. Under an agreed scheme each application for a ration in respect of Red Cross work is examined by the society's organisation in the light of knowledge of the amount of Red Cross work done by the vehicle, and sent with the society's recommendation to the divisional petroleum officer. A society's liaison officer has been appointed in each region. I understand that the society is well content with the working of the scheme.
§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary for Petroleum the considerations upon which he decided that allowances of petrol to commercial travellers should vary accord- 1099W ing to the horse-power of the motor cars, but otherwise should be uniform for all travellers without discrimination as to the type of merchandise concerned; and whether he will consider a revision of the system of allowances, with a view to establishing a substantial discrimination in favour of representatives of businesses considered by the Government to be of direct national value?
Mr. LloydRepresentatives of businesses certified to be engaged on work of national importance are given special consideration, but as regards commercial travellers it would be impracticable to differentiate between classes of merchandise. The main consideration underlying the present uniform system of allowances to commercial travellers is that equality of treatment shall, as far as possible, be accorded to all. The rates of allowance were settled only a few months ago in consultation with representatives of the commercial travellers' organisations, and I see no sufficient reason for modifying them.