§ 91. Mr. M. Lindsayasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that the basic petrol ration is now to be increased, he will proportionately increase the supplementary ration allocated to commercial travellers.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerLike other motorists, commercial travellers will benefit by the increase in the standard ration of petrol which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech. They were granted an increase, which varied, according to the size of the car, from 350 to 750 miles a year, in February, 1949; they received another thousand in May, 1949, when the standard ration was made available to those who draw supplementary allowances; the present increase in the standard ration will give them yet another thousand. In view of these facts, and of the other strong claims which are put forward, I regret that I cannot do what the hon. Member has proposed.