asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in relation to the proposed petrol-rationing scheme, he will state whether it is intended to give an extra allowance of petrol to commercial travellers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol for Commercial Travellers.
The basic allowances of petrol already announced are as liberal as possible having regard to the restricted supplies coming into the country.
As regards supplementary allowances, the intention is that these should be granted only to essential users. The public announcement already made gives an indication of certain classes of users who will be granted supplementary allowances in the ordinary course on application. I am considering what additions can be made to this list. It would be impossible to give a comprehensive list of the categories of users to whom supplementary allowances may be granted because, in many instances, regard will have to be had to the circumstances of each individual case and to the availability of public transport facilities. Commercial travellers are one class of user whose position is under consideration in this connection.
It should be emphasised that, as supplies are restricted, no applicant for a supplementary allowance can expect to get his full normal requirements of petrol, even where both essentiality and need have been clearly established.
Would the Minister say if his last statement has reference to farmers who are now planning their production programme for the coming year? Even though it is essential and there is petrol, will they not get sufficient to enable them to do their job?
Essentiality and need will be the priority. If you do not get sufficient to satisfy all essentiality and need, then inevitably some people must go short but the degree to which some people must go short is another matter. There again, essentiality will weigh with us.