§ Mr. FELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the forms are now being issued for the return of the Petrol Duty; if he is aware that, on the forms being duly filled up and the amount of petrol not liable to duty being agreed, the amount of the duty to be returned is admitted, but the officers state that the repayment cannot be made until the Finance Bill is law; and will he explain why the money is retained by the Government, seeing that whether the Finance Bill becomes law or not the money is, in any event, repayable?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Charles Hobhouse)Forms are being issued by the Board of Customs and Excise to all persons who desire to claim return of the duty on motor spirit. This is being done to meet the convenience of the public and of the Department, so that repayments can be speedily made when the Finance Bill becomes law. At present the Department has no authority to make any repayment.
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Resolution of the House of Commons which authorises collection does not authorise repayment, and therefore it must wait until the Finance Bill becomes law.