Basic Petrol Ration

Part of Orders of the Day — King's Speech – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 October 1947.

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Photo of Mr Hugh Gaitskell Mr Hugh Gaitskell , Leeds South 12:00, 29 October 1947

The real issue the House has to face is that we are in the middle of a very grave dollar crisis. Every saving in dollars that can be made, must be made. This saving amounting to £7,500,000, if not obtained here, must be got in other ways. No serious suggestion has been put forward from the opposite benches as to how this is to be done. It has not been put forward seriously because they know of no other suggestion. But they dare not admit to the country that what they are really demanding is a cut in food in favour of petrol. If they wish to give that impression to the country they can do so by voting against this Order tonight.