Mr. Shinwell can only look for gratitude from car-owners com-
mensurate with the measure of his bounty. An increase of 5o per cent. on the basic ration was less than was commonly expected, or might reasonably have been hoped for. The other concessions are of less importance, though the removal of the radius-restrictions on private-hire cars will benefit the public as well as the owners of such vehicles. Since the Minister refuses to give information regarding stocks in hand, it is impossible to judge what warrant there is for continuing petrol-rationing on the present scale, but there is a very prevalent feeling that there would be abundant justification for at least doubling the present basic ration. It is by no means clear what general change in the situation Mr. Shinwell considers would justify him in announcing that total abolition of rationing at which he claims to be so earnestly aiming. * * * *
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