HC Deb 18 December 1947 vol 445 cc380-1W
79. Mr. Bartlett

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that many hundreds of private cars were used to take spectators to the Roderick-Boon fight on 9th December; and what action he will take to prevent similar misuses of petrol at a time when its use is restricted or prohibited to persons who live far from shopping centres or who have other genuine claims on available supplies.

93. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the car park at Harringay Arena contained approximately 2,000 motor vehicles on the occasion of the Roderick-Boon boxing match on 9th December; how many of these vehicles were private cars; what check was made by his officials, or by the police; and with what result.

Mr. Gaitskell

The car parks at Harringay Arena on 9th December were under the control of the National Car Parks Limited who have supplied the following figures of the number of vehicles accommodated: Cars, 227; Taxicabs, 77; Coaches, 22. I am informed that three police officers were specially engaged in checking these cars and that according to their estimate, some 75 per cent. were private hire vehicles. The drivers of over half the remaining cars were questioned as to their use of petrol. In the great majority of cases a satisfactory explanation was forthcoming. In two cases the question of proceedings under the Control of Motor Fuel Order is under consideration and in another six cases investigation is still proceeding. In addition to the vehicles actually parked at the Arena it is estimated that about 500 other cars (the bulk of them displaying Hackney carriage plates) took spectators to and from the event. A large number of taxicabs were also similarly engaged. In these circumstances it seems clear that there was, on the occasion in question, no contravention of the law on the scale suggested.