§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has taken the opinion of any of the engineering staff of the Board of Trade upon the proposals of the Royal Automobile Club for rating the horse-power of motor cars; and whether he is aware that such proposals will tend to stereotype the design of engines, to the detriment of mechanical traction?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI am not clear what officials of the Board of Trade the hon. Member has in mind, but so far as I know there are none whose duties require them to possess an expert knowledge of motor cars. I am not aware that the proposals of the Royal Automobile Club for rating the horse-power of motor cars are likely to produce the effect suggested by the hon. Member, but I shall be very glad to consider any representations which he may wish to lay before me on the subject.
§ Mr. PEELIs he aware that this special mode of taxing motor cars will press with exceptional hardness on six-cylinder cars, which are specially manufactured in this country?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEHere, of course, I have taken the advice of experts, who understand the matter very much better than I do.
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI should extend the answer to the hon. Member for Manchester to the hon. Member for Taunton. I shall be ready to listen to any representations he may make, but for the moment I must stand by the recommendations of the Royal Automobile Club.