HC Deb 25 March 1948 vol 448 cc364-5W
76. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much petrol has been allocated to Masters of Hounds or for other purposes associated with hunting since the basic ration was abolished.

Mr. Robens

I regret that this information is not available.

77. Mr. Renton

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the hon. Member for Huntingdon may expect a reply to his letter of 27th February concerning an application for petrol by Mr. P. C. Stocker, of Offord D'Arcy, for a private hire service.

Mr. Robens

I have replied to the hon. Member about this case.

78. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that a business in Newport has been refused petrol to convey five caravans to Weymouth from Birmingham as train transport was available; that a Bristol firm has offered to tow them for £15 each and as this would necessitate at least an equal amount of petrol in addition to that required to come from Bristol to Birmingham, and as the cost of rail transport will be £9 each plus local fees, whether he will grant petrol for the conveyance of these caravans.

Mr. Robens

There would obviously be considerable scope for abuse were petrol to be made available to any owner of a private car who applied for an allowance to take a caravan from one place to another on the grounds that he wished to let it on hire. I am, however, making inquiries into this case to see whether an allowance could be granted.

85. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much petrol was allocated on the recommendation of the Devon and Somerset County Agricultural Committees to hunting establishments in their respective areas during 1948 to the nearest convenient date.

Mr. Robens

I regret that this information is not readily available.

86. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the average or normal monthly allocation of petrol granted for an aircraft in use by a flying club; how many such allocations are at present being granted; and what is the total amount of petrol at present allocated monthly for this purpose.

Mr. Robens

The answer to the first part of the Question is an average of 433 gallons per month; the answer to the second part, 149; and the answer to the third, an average of 64,500 gallons.