HC Deb 23 September 1948 vol 456 cc1062-3
18. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will reconsider the application of Mr. J. Clowes, 153, Crompton Road, Macclesfield, for an increased petrol allowance, details of which have already been sent to him, together with a medical certificate supporting his application; and if he is aware that there is no public transport available from Crewe, where Mr. Clowes works, to Macclesfield when he finishes work at 10.30 p.m.

Mr. Gaitskell

Yes, Sir, I am reconsidering this case, and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

Air-Commodore Harvey

As Mr. Clowes has now been waiting several months, will the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Manchester office to consider these matters more sympathetically? It is quite clear that a sick man such as Mr. Clowes could not get home from work without petrol.

Mr. Gaitskell

I could not agree that the case is as straightforward as that, but I will write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman in a day or two.

Mr. Erroll

Does the Minister realise that the Manchester office is particularly difficult now, and far harder than other regions?

27. Mr. Gammans

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why a rubber planter on leave in this country from Malaya can obtain a petrol allowance for a car lent to him by a near relative but not one lent by a more distant relative or a friend; and on what principle this differentiation is made.

Mr. Gaitskell

Supplementary allowances are normally made available only for motor vehicles owned by the applicant. In the case of persons on leave from overseas, and as a special concession, allowances are also made for motor vehicles owned by close relatives. I regret that I cannot extend this concession.

Mr. Gammans

Why should there be this differentiation? Does the Minister propose to publish a table of consanguinity such as there is at the back of the Prayer Book, and say that only near relations can loan a car? What is the sense of it?

Mr. Gaitskell

It need not be such a long table as the hon. Gentleman suggests, but one must draw the line somewhere. It seems reasonable to draw the line round the family.

29. Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider granting an additional petrol allowance for holiday purposes to those people who have not applied for the allowance of £35 for the purpose of travelling abroad for pleasure.

Mr. Gaitskell

No, Sir.

Mr. Taylor

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider referring this suggestion to his Advisory Committee, because, surely, it is not beyond the wit of man, or his Advisory Committee, to devise a scheme on these lines?

Mr. Gaitskell

No doubt when the Advisory Committee are consulted on this matter they will bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. Member.