§ 17. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what instructions have been given to regional petroleum officers regarding the issue of petrol to bona fide prospective Parliamentary candidates to carry on their election campaign prior to the General Election.
§ Mr. GaitskellAll candidates are granted allowances for the actual period of an election campaign. In addition, between elections block allocations of petrol coupons are made to the party agents of political parties represented in Parliament to cover the requirements in each constituency of the agent himself, the prospective candidate, if any. and party 2263 officers working in the constituency. These arrangements were agreed with the representatives of the political parties and have, in fact, been in operation ever since petrol rationing was introduced. While we cannot, of course, grant an allowance to every person who says he wishes to stand for Parliament, I am nevertheless considering whether, for the benefit of prospective candidates of political organisations not represented in the House, some modification in the arrangement would be practicable without danger of abuse.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreIn view of the fact that there are many persons, particularly those independent of any party, who were Members of this House before the last General Election who wish to stand again, can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that his cogitations will lead to an early answer so that these people will not be debarred from making an effort to rejoin this House?
§ Mr. GaitskellIt was with cases of precisely that kind in mind that I decided that we had better look into the matter, but it is not a very easy one with which to deal.