Black Market Petrol:. Haulage
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ROM) hauliers are to suffer yet, another 10per cent. fuel cut, following the acceptance Of a recommendation of the Russell Vick Committee, which stated that there would be a strong potential danger of black-market activities, were a basic ration to be restored. Haulage drivers are unequivocally accused of being responsible for much of the black market.
Like the earlier cut, this new one will, it is recommended, be reduced or relinquished 'iwhere special need is indicated, so I that the net result, as estimated by tile Ministry of Transport, should he ecvnivalent to an overall cut of five per cent.
Untapped Black Market
The crux of the findings is that there has been a steadily increasing excess of coupons issued over petrol supplied, so that whilst a proportion of consumed petrol was ." black," there existed also a Considerable Potential and untapped black 'market.
In 1947 the total consumed, including that sold in the black market, fell short of the coupons issued by 148,000,000 gallons. Of the surplus, coupons for only 17,000,000 gallons were Jettirned. The surplus of coupons 'issued' oVer those used for legitiniate purpOse§ may have amounted to between 124 and15 per cent, of the total issued in 1947for; commercial and other essential purposes. Black-market, consumption in 1947 may have amounted to .47,000,000 gallons, or three per cent,of the total consumed by all Weis.
Two cases of alleged dishonesty of haulage drivers are mentioned. In a' Glamorgan case. a driver taking 1,800 gallons of 100-octane spirit to a B.O.A.C..engine-testing depot, is stated to have deposited 550 gallons with a garage Proprietor; the B.O.A.C, storekeeper, who was in collision with the driver, is alleged to have signed the release note for the full 1,800 gallons.
In another case a driver taking petrol from the Petroleum Board's Silvertown depot to the bus depots of the London Passenger Transport Board unloaded at a garage some 700 gallons.
On hire-car operators the committee says: "Another ,type of consumer of whom we are told that the less scrupulous are particularly keen buyers in the black market is the private hirecar operator. We should be surprised If this allegation were not well founded."
The committee had evidence that farmers, among others, were generous With their tractor petrol and coupons. It though it unlikely, however, that there was any appreciable contribution to the black market from public service vehicles or taxicabs. Subject to further information about provincial taxicabs, these two groups of vehicles appeared to be strictly and efficiently controlled and their allowances neither excessive nor inadequate.
The Fuel Minister states that the