HC Deb 04 February 1957 vol 564 cc17-20W
132. Mr. Hurd

asked the Paymaster-General if he is aware that the allowance of petrol for taxi-cabs operating in provincial towns and serving the surrounding rural area is, in many cases, proving insufficient to maintain an adequate service to the public; and if he will arrange, in cases of need, for the allowance of petrol to be increased to 25 gallons a week for the ordinary medium-power taxi up to 19 horse power.

134 and 135. Mr. W. R. Williams

asked the Paymaster-General (1) why the maximum allocation of fuel to the owners of Manchester and Salford licensed taxicabs is 84 units per month although 125 units per month are allocated in respect of London taxicabs which are of a similar standard type; and

(2) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by owner-drivers in Manchester and Salford regarding the inadequate fuel allocation made to them by the Regional Petroleum Officer, Lytham, in respect of their taxicabs; and what steps he proposes to take to remove the grievance.

Mr. Renton

I am satisfied that the scales of allowance for taxicabs are generally appropriate. But my noble Friend recognises that operating conditions in some provincial cities may approximate closely to those in London and he is arranging for regional petroleum officers to review such cases.

137. Mr. John MacLeod

asked the Paymaster-General what special allocations of petrol will be made for tourists visiting the Highlands of Scotland during the forthcoming tourist season.

Mr. Renton

The petrol allowed to overseas visitors is already sufficient to enable them to tour the Highlands by car if they wish to do so but no special arrangements are at present contemplated for United Kingdom residents.

Captain Kerby

asked the Paymaster-General why he is using the Women's Voluntary Services as his agents in the forwarding of applications by individuals to regional petroleum officers for supplementary petrol rations.

Mr. Renton

Where cars have to be used for journeys concerned with the welfare of old or sick people or of children, the basic ration may not suffice. In such circumstances, which arise mainly in rural areas, the Women's Voluntary Services have undertaken to advise on means of meeting the difficulties and, if need be, to forward applications for more petrol to the regional petroleum officer. My noble Friend has asked me to express his appreciation of the invaluable work which the Women's Voluntary Services are doing in this field.

Mr. Hayman

asked the Paymaster-General the estimated weekly cost of administering the petrol rationing scheme.

Mr. Renton

About £20,000, including approximately £12,500 payable to other Government Departments in respect of seconded staff.

Mr. Hayman

asked the Paymaster-General (1) how much petrol by way of supplementary allowances is allocated to each prospective Parliamentary candidate of the three main political party organisations;

(2) by how much the block allowance of petrol to constituency agents for party political purposes is higher for a prospective Parliamentary candidate than for a sitting Member.

Mr. Renton

The requirements of prospective candidates must be met out of the block allowance issued to constituency agents for party political purposes. These block allowances are subject to maximum limits which for borough and county constituencies are, on the unanimous advice of the three main political party organisations, respectively 375 and 750 miles a month higher for parties with prospective candidates than for the party with the sitting Member. The actual amounts allocated to agents vary considerably within the limits prescribed.

Mr. Hayman

asked the Paymaster-General how many of the 471 Members of Parliament given supplementary allowances of petrol in the first month of rationing received six, seven, eight, nine, and 10 gallons, respectively; how many received less than six; and how many more than 10.

Mr. Renton

It would be contrary to established practice to add any further details regarding individual issues to Members beyond those given in the reply to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 28th January, 1957.

Mrs. Jeger

asked the Paymaster-General what allocation of fuel oil is made for boats.

Mr. Renton

Supplies of diesel oil for fishing vessels have been reduced by 10 per cent., and supplies of fuel oil and diesel oil for pleasure craft by 50 per cent. For petrol driven boats there is a basic ration varying from 1 to 5 gallons per month according to engine size.