HC Deb 13 March 1950 vol 472 cc729-30
19. Mr. A. R. W. Low

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now able to increase the maximum supplementary ration to commercial travellers.

21. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give commercial travellers an increase on their present petrol allowance or, alternatively, allow them petrol according to the area they cover.

Mr. Noel-Baker

A year ago, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary had a full discussion with the associations which represent commercial travellers and with the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. As a result, the associations accepted the Minister's proposals for a substantial increase in the petrol allowances which commercial travellers receive. Much as I sympathise with the purpose which the hon. Members have in view, I am afraid that I could not at present agree to any further increase.

Mr. Low

Will the right hon. Gentleman have another talk with the associations concerned? Does he not realise that under the present system of rigid attention to a rigid maximum the result may often be an increased number of commercial travellers and an increased number of cars to draw this ration and, therefore, an increase in the total amount of petrol used for this purpose?

Mr. Noel-Baker

All this was discussed by my predecessor and the Parliamentary Secretary a year ago and it was found, and I think the associations agreed, that the "points" plan which they proposed could not really be made to work.

Brigadier Medlicoft

Is the Minister aware that although the representatives accepted this decision it was not with any great enthusiasm? Would he not, in particular, pay some regard to the possibility of helping commercial travellers who have the large country areas to cover?

Mr. Noel-Baker

It is not with any great enthusiasm that we do not give them more; I should like to give them more. The difficulty is that it might amount to a great deal of petrol, and it would certainly provoke other claims from people who have very strong claims indeed.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Is not the right hon. Gentleman on rather weak ground? How can he defend a situation in which the amount of petrol granted bears very little relation to the number of miles which have to be covered in the course of business?

Mr. Noel-Baker

That, of course, begs the question.

Mr. Ian Orr-Ewing

In view of the fact that a year's experience has now been gained in the working of this arrangement, is it not time that the Minister reviewed the matter with the associations concerned?

Mr. Noel-Baker

If we had much greater quantities of petrol, a review would be required, but commercial travellers are now receiving, in effect, one-third more petrol than they had last year. In the six summer months they had also the summer allowance—that was in addition. It would be premature at present to hold out hopes of a further increase.

Mr. Low

Will hot the right hon. Gentleman have a look at this himself? He keeps talking about decisions made by others; will he have a look at it himself?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I was obliged to look at it during the General Election, and I have since looked at it very carefully.

Mr. De la Bère

Why not use practical common sense.