§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the weeks preceding and during the allocation of petrol rationing coupons over 20 per cent. more road fund licences were issued in Greater London, as compared with a similar period in 1972; what was the extra amount which accrued to the Exchequer from this source; and whether he will also give the national figures for the increased revenue from road fund licences during this period.
§ Mr. HigginsThe rate at which the licences are issued is kept under constant review; but it is misleading to base conclusions on figures for short periods, which may be distorted by various factors. Taking the months of November and December 1973 together, the Greater London Council issued 298,540 vehicle licences valued at £7.4 million. In the corresponding
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§ Mr. Nott,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th January 1974], gave the following information:
The figures for "real" income known in the table are largely meaningless, in that they allow for price changes but make no allowance for the much larger changes in average earnings. The index of average earnings increased by 10.2 per cent. in 1971–72, by 13.8 per cent. in 1972–73 and has so far increased by 11.6 per cent. in 1973–4 compared with the 1972–73 average.
The figures the hon. Member requests are as follows:
months of 1972 the figures were 301,166 licences valued at £7.9 million. National figures—including Post Office issues—are not yet available.