Was Derationing Delayed ?
The question whether the Government could have derationed petrol earlier was not germane to the debate on the increased petrol tax on Wednesday, but it is fair to the Government to note the view of the purely technical journal the Petroleum Times. That journal observes that the scheme put before the Minister of Fuel and Power by the Anglo-American Oil Co. " could not be considered finalised for submission to the Government until May 8th. Thus the latter would, it seems, be due for congratulation on its speedy acceptance." (Derationing was announced on May 29th.) After summarising other facts the Petroleum Times adds, " These revela- tions and dates make it regrettable that the Government's action is being made use of for party politics, and nonsense of the asser- tion of Geoffrey Lloyd " that the agreement could have been reached before Christmas. This is not necessarily the last word, but it is not a negligible word.
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