asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the urgent need for the provision of additional housing, he will include contractors engaged in the building industry in the categories qualifying for supplementary petrol allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Contractors' Petrol Allowance.
Contractors engaged in the building industry are eligible for supplementary allowances of petrol for commercial goods vehicles operated by them for the transport of materials and for the operation of plant and machinery used by them in connection with building operations.
As announced by public advertisement on the 5th June, 1946, supplementary allowances of petrol are now available for certain classes of owners of private motor vehicles. The concession is available to eligible members of firms of contractors on the same basis as to persons in other types of business.
Does that mean that if a contractor applies for a supplementary allowance for his private cars, which are to be used in connection with his work, he will get a supplementary allowance?
Probably. If the managing director of a firm or persons whose business involves travelling apply their applications will be considered.
Does the Minister not think it unfair that certain categories of people should be given the supplementary allowance without having to make special representations, while contractors, who need it very badly for their business, in the public interest, may be turned down?
The managing directors of firms or commercial travellers are entitled to a supplementary allowance. That applies to contracting firms as well as to others.
I asked the question really with reference to people in the contracting business who would be supervising the jobs, and who are not necessarily commercial travellers.
It is only to that class of person a supplementary allowance is now being granted, not to supervising members of staffs.
Would the Minister not consider the case of a small contractor who operates in a rural locality and who may have to travel a considerable distance on two or three jobs? Would he be entitled to a supplementary allowance? I am thinking of the small man who probably does part of the work himself.
In such cases the transportation would probably be done on goods vehicles for which a supplementary allowance is given.
The Minister does not expect the head of a distributing firm to go around selling goods, but prefers to give the extra petrol to commercial travellers.
Yes.
If that is so, why would he not consider the analogy between a clerk of works for a contracting firm and commercial travellers working for a distributing firm? Will he consider the claims of persons occupying such analogous positions?
There must be a clearly defined category of persons. When I referred to managing directors I meant not the head but the person actually responsible. That person is entitled.
The Minister realises that a large firm will have 40 contracts on hands, and a person whose position is analogous to that of a clerk of works is in charge of ten jobs. It is necessary for him to be circulating to keep control. Would the Minister consider in regard to such building contractors that such persons would be recognised in the category of persons entitled to the allowance?
The number of persons to whom supplementary allowances can be given cannot be extended.
Naturally.
Can the Minister say if it will be to that class in building firms who are supervising the work it will be given?
Not everybody employed in a supervising capacity in a building firm can get it, but the person whose duty involves travelling will be entitled.