§ 26. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that only £1,500 has been received during the past financial year for landing and housing fees for private aircraft, that the cost of collecting these moneys is high, and that these aircraft are making heavy contributions to the Exchequer through the petrol tax with- 2960 out complementary use of the roads, he will henceforth grant remission of these fees?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hore-Belisha)The estimate of receipts for rentals, housing and landing fees at Croydon, Lympne and other civil State aerodromes was £24,000 in 1932 and the same in 1933. I understand my hon. Friend to refer only to the particular part of these receipts which is paid in respect of non-commercial civil aircraft. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to the cost of collection and I share the view of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air that there is no case for the remission of these fees. They represent payment towards the cost of facilities provided from public funds.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIn view of the fact that a considerable portion of the Petrol Duty is earmarked for the upkeep of the roads, and that therefore as far as aircraft users are concerned the tax militates very unfairly against them, can my hon. Friend, if he cannot accept my specific suggestion, consider other ways of removing this injustice?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have said that I share the view of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air that there is no injustice. My hon. Friend suggests that the cost of collection makes this revenue not worth collecting, but that is a misapprehension.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSBut is it not a fact that the Petrol Duty is used largely for the service of the roads, and that aircraft users have nothing appropriated to them?