HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 cc2116-7
43. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis petrol is allocated to political organisations, and what bodies are so classified.

Mr. Gaitskell

All political party organisations which sponsor Parliamentary candidates, are given allowances. Block allocations are made for political party work in constituencies and for officials of party headquarters and area offices. The scales of allowance have been agreed with the parties concerned.

Mr. Greenwood

Will my right hon. Friend say to what extent that ruling applies to organisations which have not yet adopted candidates, but which have announced their intention of so doing, and also to what extent the rule applies to those fascist organisations which masquerade under the guise of literary societies or other quasi cultural organisations?

Mr. Gaitskell

The rule does not apply to organisations which have not yet sponsored a Parliamentary candidate. I cannot discriminate between different organisations. It would be wrong to do so.

Mr. Teeing

Does that rule also apply to the Commonwealth Party, which has no members now?

68. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now give a decision in the case of Mr. W. Bradwell, of White House, Canal Street, Congleton, who is a farmer, aged 81, and who has applied for a supplementary petrol allowance for business purposes.

Mr. Gaitskell

I have written to the hon. and gallant Member and explained what has been done in this matter.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Yes, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this aged farmer has applied five times to the regional office for his petrol since last September, and why was it that the petrol was issued only the day after this Question was put down; will the Minister undertake to sec that regional offices give priority to food producers and farmers in these matters?

Mr. Gaitskell

There is no need to alter the instructions to regional offices. I agree that in this case a mishap occurred. That is inevitable when we deal with nearly two million applications.

70. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what allowances of petrol were granted to officers attending the Rugby match between the Royal Navy and the R.A.F. at Twickenham.

Mr. Gaitskell

No allowances were granted for this purpose.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Minister explain, if no allowances were made to officers, how the Duke of Edinburgh got there?—[Interruption.] Is he aware of the discontent of other officers who wish to go to their homes at the weekend, when they see that petrol is being used for this purpose?

Captain Marsden

Is the Minister aware that the greater number of spectators, judging by their cars, were not officers but doctors?

Mr. Gaitskell

No, Sir.