Motor Fuel Ration Books issued in Thame 1956 – 57
On July 26th 1956, the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal, which had been operated by a joint British-French enterprise since it was built in 1869. This announcement followed months of political tension between Egypt, Britain, and France.
The disruption of the main route by which fuel was transported from the Middle East to Europe led to fuel shortages in Britain and a sharp increase in petrol prices.
In response to the growing shortage, the British government asked motorists to voluntarily cut their use of fuel but then in November, announced that fuel would be rationed for a period of about four months, from December to April, and rationing would be controlled through books of coupons issued via post offices.
Essential road users such as doctors, nurses, midwives and vets were given a higher allowance. Although far fewer families owned a car in 1956, the restrictions did have an impact on daily life, with buses and trains becoming more crowded and businesses struggling with delayed deliveries
The Suez Crisis, as it became known, had a huge political impact, highlighting Britain’s declining status as a world power and causing an economic crisis in the UK.