§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will authorise the granting of a supplementary petrol allowance, when public transport is not reasonably practicable, to members of the Institution of Plant Engineers to enable them to attend branch meetings, in view of the fact that their purpose is to increase production by educating technologists in methods calculated to secure maximum efficiency in industry and to exchange ideas to that end.
§ Mr. GaitskellI regret that owing to the large number of voluntary organisations in the country similar to the Institution of Plant Engineers, we could not at present afford the extra petrol which would be necessary if special allowances were granted to members of these organisations for attending branch meetings. Much as I appreciate the importance of the work of the Institution of Plant Engineers, I could not agree to make an exception in their case.