23 JUNE 1950, Page 5

It does not seem to be generally known, though I

have heard it from two reliable authorities, that the Conservative Central Associa- tion has laid it down that no Conservative candidate for Parliament shall contribute anything towards his election expenses, and if elected shall never give more than £50 to local charities in his constituency in any one year. The aim of this admirable rule, of course, is to give every candidate, whatever his means, an equal chance of selection. The candidate, under the rule, is left to bear his own hotel expenses, but some constituencies, I believe, insist on defraying these too. * * * *