§ Mr. Reakesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will again, in the interests of economy, reduce the allowances of petrol to taximeter-cab proprietors plying for hire in the City and Metropolitan areas and divert petrol supplies thus saved to industrial areas for the benefit of transport for war workers?
§ Colonel Medlicottasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the consumption of petrol by the large number of private motorcars and taxi-meter cabs which travel over routes in the London area adequately served by underground trains, tramcars and omnibuses; and whether he will divert some part of this petrol to provide better transport facilities in the rural areas?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not believe that in present circumstances the public interest would be served by reducing the present petrol allowance for London taxi-1954W cabs. Nor do I believe that the allowance represents an undue proportion of the petrol at present available. As regards private cars, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Norfolk (Col. Medlicott) that a car may be on a journey for which other means of transport are not reasonably practicable, even if part of it coincides with a route served by public transport.