HC Deb 19 March 1946 vol 420 c342W
154. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the number of ex-Servicemen who wish to start motor car hire services and are, in many cases, in possession of a motor car, but do not fall into any of the present qualifying categories; and whether he is yet in a position to relax the regulations in order to help these men.

Mr. Shinwell

So long as it is necessary to ration the consumption of petrol by private car owners, I am bound to restrict the grant of allowances for new hire car services or the extension of existing services. The number of rationed hire cars in any locality is regulated in accordance with essential public needs, and applications from ex-Servicemen who wish to start new hire car services are dealt with on this basis. The rule may be waived, however, for the purpose of resettling a disabled person.