§ 9. Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Paymaster-General whether he will now increase the value of petrol coupons during the present rationing period, owing to the large stocks of petrol held throughout the country.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo. Stocks are rather below the seasonal normal and we must conserve them against the day when rationing can be abolished.
§ 10. Mr. M. Lindsayasked the Paymaster-General whether he is aware that commercial travellers and manufacturers' agents are receiving barely 40 per cent. of their normal petrol consumption; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudlingApplications for petrol for commercial travellers and manufacturers' agents, whether made by the self-employed or by employers, are not dealt with by reference to a percentage of normal consumption, but on their merits, and the allowances issued vary according to the circumstances of each case.
§ Dr. Kingasked the Paymaster-General the maximum amount of petrol allowed monthly for a political agent and a political agent who has a prospective candidate, in urban and rural constituencies, respectively.
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§ Mr. MaudlingAllowances to the three main political party organisations in respect of all constituency activities may not exceed the following limits:
—— Maximum allowance Miles per month Borough constituency County constituency Party holding the seat and Opposition Party with no prospective candidate 875 1,750 Party with a prospective candidate (other than the sitting Member) 1,250 2,500 The limit for a county constituency of more than 150,000 acres may be increased by 10 per cent, for each additional 50,000 acres up to a maximum of 400,000 acres.
§ Mr. Burkeasked the Paymaster-General how many commercial travellers in the North-Western Region have applied for extra petrol allowances; and what has been the average monthly amount allocated.
§ Mr. MaudlingI regret that this information is not available and could only be obtained at the expense of other more essential work.