§ 68. Mr. Digbyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what necessary domestic purposes are regarded as sufficiently urgent to justify a car being hired for a greater distance than 20 miles; if he is aware that this limit of 20 miles will cause serious hardship to people in remote country districts who frequently live more than 20 miles from the nearest large town which they have to visit for shopping and other domestic purposes, and if he will increase the limit.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe interpretation of the order is, of course, a matter for the courts. I do not think any serious hardship will be experienced through the application of this order, and I am not prepared to increase the radius.
§ 70. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he proposes to make a special allocation of petrol to American visitors touring this country by hired car in the coming summer.
71. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the order restricting the operation of private hire cars to a radius of 20 miles is causing serious anxiety to firms in Edinburgh that specialise in carrying American tourists to places of historic and scenic interest in Scotland, and what steps he intends to take to ensure that this method of earning dollars is not stopped.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe matter is under consideration.
§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the petrol allowance of a hire car is only 60 gallons 253W a month; and will he increase it to the 90 gallons a month allowed for a taxi.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe maximum allowance for a hire car is 67½ gallons per month. I am not prepared to increase it at the present time.