Sir HENRY DALZIEL (by Private Notice)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the event of the persistent rumours of a coming General Election having any foundation in fact, he will at once take steps to secure that a sufficiency of paper and petrol will be available for candidates?
Sir A. STANLEYAs regards paper, arrangements have been made to supply to each candidate at fixed prices a certain quantity of paper in two qualities; one suitable for election addresses, etc., one for handbills or leaflets; also a polling card and one envelope for each voter. The paper, etc., will be obtainable in fixed amounts in respect of each 4,000 voters in a constituency, and pro rata for any fraction of 4,000 voters.
The total cost per 4,000 voters will be (exclusive of printing) £11 16s. 9d.
Applications should be made to the Controller of Paper 23, Buckingham Gate, S.W.1, who will furnish all details, and will supply vouchers for use in obtaining the supplies.
With regard to petrol, as I have already stated in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbartonshire on 17th October, arrangements have been made under which every bonâ-fide candidate and his election agent will be entitled to obtain a motor spirit licence for the purchase of a limited quantity of petrol and a special permit enabling each of them to use a motor-car for the purposes of the election. Applications for such licence and permit must be made by the election agent, and forms for this purpose will be obtainable from the registration officers. The permit and licence will be valid from the day of the issue of the writ until the day following the close of the 1617 poll. The allowance of petrol will vary, according to the size of the constituency, from 10 to 80 gallons.
Mr. H. SAMUELI merely wish to ask my right hon. Friend whether the arrangements for the supply of paper will involve any charge on the Exchequer?
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I ask my right hon. Friend, having regard to these elaborate regulations, whether we may take it now that the election will be immediately announced?
Sir A. STANLEYI am sure my right hon. Friend will understand that I am not in a position to give an answer to that question.
Sir H. DALZIELDoes my right hon. Friend in his reply mean to imply that only one posting will be permitted, as only one envelope is provided for?
§ Mr. GEORGE TERRELLIs my right hon. Friend aware that the proposed allowance of petrol in the big agricultural constituencies is wholly insufficient, and can he see his way to double the allowance in all necessary cases?
§ Sir JOSEPH WALTONIs the supply of envelopes and paper immediately obtainable?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill my right hon. Friend say at what date the applications for paper are to be made?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the election to be immediately?
§ Mr. TERRELLMay I ask for an answer to my question?
Sir A. STANLEYI agree that the allowance cannot be considered a liberal allowance, but I am sure the hon. Member will realise there is a very serious shortage of petrol. I have done the best I can to secure as liberal a supply as conditions will permit.
§ Mr. TERRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman see his way to cut down the allowance of petrol in the towns, so that—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]
§ Mr. DILLONIn connection with this matter of petrol, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that petrol is being recklessly wasted and spilt about by the military authorities?
§ Sir S. COLLINSMay I be allowed to-ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can make arrangements with the Air Ministry for Members to fly?
§ Mr. BRYCESeeing, from the replies of the right hon. Gentleman himself, the difficulty in this question of any attempt to get accurate replies from the electorate, will he represent this aspect of the case to the authorities?
§ Mr. ROWLANDSDo we understand the right hon. Gentleman aright that the prices are fixed for each 4,000 electors no matter what the size of the electorate may be, and that those who have very large constituencies will have to pay at the same rate for the supplies?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSWill the newspapers be allowed extra supplies of paper for election issues?
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask whether the Government will try, even at this late hour, to prevent this unnecessary expenditure and waste of a lot of public money on a General Election, and instead divert that money for the housing of The poor?