HC Deb 25 March 1957 vol 567 cc82-3W
81. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Paymaster-General whether, in view of the removal of restriction on the use of diesel oil for road transport, he will also end all restriction on the use of petrol by public service vehicles and vehicles used for road haulage.

Mr. Renton

No. As my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General said last Monday, supplies of petrol, although increasing, are still likely to remain short of normal demand and it is therefore not possible to abolish petrol rationing at once, but the improved supplies will be taken into account in dealing with applications in respect of passenger and goods vehicles requiring petrol.

82. Mr. Marlowe

asked the Paymaster-General why the regional petroleum officer at Kew has so far ignored the application for supplementary petrol coupons, submitted on 26th February by Mr. W. J. Muggridge, Hove; and whether he will expedite action in view of the fact that Mr. Muggridge is a taxi-driver dependent for his living upon receiving these coupons.

Mr. Renton

I am writing to my hon. and learned Friend about this case.

83. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Paymaster-General the total estimated cost of administering the restrictions on oil consumption and petrol rationing; and if he will give an estimate of how much it would be reduced if rationing ended with the termination of the first ration period on 16th April next.

Mr. Renton

The total cost will depend on the duration of restrictions but expenditure by the Ministry of Power is at present running at a rate of about £20,000 a week. Expenses at a reducing rate will necessarily continue for a short period after the end of rationing whenever that may be.

84. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Paymaster-General how much saving he expects to achieve in the consumption of petrol during the fourth months of the rationing period beginning 17 April, on the assumption that the maximum permissible is taken up, over actual consumption during the same period in the previous year; and what percentage this saving would be estimated of total oil consumption for all purposes.

Mr. Renton

About 10 per cent. and 3 per cent. respectively, but these figures take no account of the normal growth in demand from year to year.