§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that Clayton Dewandre of Lincoln supply 90 per cent, of certain components used by the heavy vehicle manufacturers in this country; that they are seriously prejudiced by the allocation of petrol which has been granted to them and that unless their allocation is substantially increased they will soon have to go on a three-day week; and whether 242W he will take immediate steps to increase their allocation of petrol.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have delegated to my regional transport commissioners the task of issuing fuel rations to goods vehicles, and I have given them general instructions on how to deal with applications for supplementary rations. I regret that I am not prepared to go further and intervene in individual cases. The hon. Member will appreciate that so far the basic ration only has been issued.
Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether be is aware of the particular hardship and inconvenience which the need for petrol rationing will cause in isolated country districts with only a limited omnibus service or no omnibus service at all; and whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to arrange for more passenger trains to stop at local stations and halts during the emergency.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThere is no need for a general direction because I know that the British Transport Commission are ready and willing to consider the possibility of doing what my hon. Friend has in mind where there is evidence of a substantial local need during the present emergency.