§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) if he will now make some concession to meet the special difficulties caused by the reduction of petrol allowances to general practitioners in large rural areas, as exemplified in the case submitted to him; 24W (2) if he is aware that general practitioners in rural areas cannot do their work under present petrol rationing as exemplified in the case submitted to him, in which a general practitioner requiring 600 units for this period was granted by the local fuel office 108 units, increased on repeated application, and again increased on the intervention of a Member of Parliament, but is still short of his minimum requirement; and as his patients are not getting proper medical attention, if he will revise the rationing for areas so situated.
§ Mr. GaitskellMedical practitioners are allowed sufficient petrol to meet their essential requirements, and where cases of difficulty arise, arrangements have been made for the regional petroleum officer to be advised by a medical liaison officer, nominated by the B.M.A. The case that the hon. Member has in mind falls into this category and has been referred to the medical liaison officer. I will write to the hon. Member about it as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why two supplementary petrol allowances cannot be given for the same car if it is used by two people for two different purposes.
§ Mr. GaitskellIn general, control can only be properly maintained over petrol consumption if the allowance for a car is granted to one person only. But if the hon. Member has in mind any case where hardship has resulted from the application of this rule I will have inquiries made.