asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now abolish the rationing of red petrol

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I are satisfied that the de-rationing of red petrol would lead to an increase in consumption, and I regret that I am, therefore, unable to do what the noble Lord desires.

Is it not a fact that the amount of red petrol in supply is adequate to meet consumer needs; and since the official price is now exactly the same as the economic price what prevents the elimination of coupons?

I am afraid that if petrol were de-rationed there might be a great expansion of the use of red petrol for touring coaches, private excursions, light vans and many other purposes.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this scheme was introduced in quite different circumstances, when the Government had abolished the basic ration in order largely to facilitate a change of mind on their part; and will he not consider whether this complex administrative scheme is really worth while at the present time?

I have considered it, and I have come to the conclusion that it is well worth while.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the qualifications which determine whether an applicant for supplementary petrol is treated as category " S " or " E "; and if there is any difference between the limits of allowances for these two categories

" E " allowances are granted to those who are engaged on activities which are vital to the life of the nation, and who, for carrying out these activities, must have the use of a car. " S " allowances are granted to other applicants who have a valid claim for supplementary petrol. The maximum of the " E " allowances is naturally higher than that of " S " allowances.

Is there no discretion whereby the particular activity in which an " S " allowance citizen is engaged can be taken into account: For example is it true that all salesmen and managers of whatever kind are necessarily " S " allowance men?

I should not like to answer that without notice, but special circumstances are taken into account for both " S " and " E " allowances.

Would the Minister bear in mind that these categories were designed for war purposes; and will he give an undertaking that they have been re-categorised to meet the present conditions?

Unfortunately, we have not yet got over the results of the war so far as the supply of petrol is concerned.