HC Deb 04 March 1957 vol 566 cc9-11
32. Dr. King

asked the Paymaster-General if he will now state the revised allowances of supplementary petrol to political agents.

26. Mrs. Mann

asked the Paymaster-General if he will state the amount of petrol allowances allotted to constituency parties; how much of this has been taken up; and by what parties and in which constituencies.

Mr. Maudling

There has been no change in the maximum limits. The allowances actually made vary widely and some 60 per cent. are below the maxima. It is not the practice to publish details of individual petrol allocations, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there are no invidious distinctions to be drawn from them.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that the gross inequity in the extravagant allowances to political agents has brought more discredit on the petrol rationing system than any other single action of the Government and has offset much of the excellent work that has been done in rationing? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the whole House will be surprised to know that he has not cut back on the extravagant figures, figures which leave political agents with far more petrol than they can use at a time when many people are going without enough petrol for their employment?

Mr. Maudling

I cannot accept that. The figures we stated were maxima, and no political constituency association ought to apply for more petrol than it needs for its minimum requirements.

33. Dr. King

asked the Paymaster-General what steps he has taken to meet the claims of commercial travellers for increased supplementary allowances of petrol and for supplementary petrol for self-employed persons.

Mr. Maudling

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) on 11th February.

Dr. King

Whilst thanking the Minister for what he has done to improve the condition of commercial travellers, is he aware that it is still the position that the average commercial traveller needs petrol for 2,000 miles a month and is getting an allowance which gives him 750 miles a month, so that his cut in the national interest is from 100 per cent. down to 40 per cent.? Is the Minister also aware that commercial travellers often have to go to two Ministers for different portions of their petrol allowance, and will the right hon. Gentleman not meet a deputation of the United Commercial Travellers Association in collaboration with the other Ministers concerned?

Mr. Maudling

The trouble is that I do not think there is any such creature as an average commercial traveller. That is what is making it so difficult to give any flat rate of allowance to these people, though we have tried hard to meet hardship cases. With regard to meeting representatives of the industry, if the hon. Gentleman would like to come to see me at any time about this matter, of course I shall be glad to see him.

39. Mr. Dodds

asked the Paymaster-General why the application by the United Commercial Travellers Association to send a deputation to him to discuss petrol allowances was turned down in view of the serious position that has developed owing to petrol restrictions; and, in view of the fears that exist amongst commercial travellers in respect of the future, if he will reconsider this decision.

Mr. Maudling

Senior officials of my Department have met representatives of the United Commercial Travellers Association on a number of occasions, and further matters have recently been raised by the Association in correspondence with my noble Friend. He does not think that a personal interview would add materially to his already full knowledge of their views.

Mr. Dodds

Will the right hon. Gentleman state when the last meeting was held, and has he seen the last list of complaints of the United Commercial Travellers Association? Why, under the circumstances, cannot he make time to see a body of people who feel that they have been badly treated, particularly when there are huge stocks of petrol in this country at the present moment?

Mr. Maudling

I repeat what I said to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Itchen (Dr. King), that if either he or any other hon. Member would like to come to see me about this matter, and bring some of his friends with him, I shall be glad to see him.