§ Resolution reported,
§ 14. "That the temporary increase of the duties on motor spirit shall not operate so as to increase the allowance or repayment in respect of the duty now made to persons using motor spirit for certain purposes.
§ And it is declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1913."
§ Resolution read a second time.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."
§ Mr. McKENNAI beg to move, "That the House doth not agree with the Committee in this Resolution."
If this Resolution be now omitted, then automatically, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the industries and the professions to which the abatement of half the Spirit Duty was allowed will still be entitled to that abatement, and in future, instead of 6d. they will have to pay 3d. per gallon duty. Whereas formerly they paid ½d. instead of the full duty of 3d., hereafter they will pay 3d. instead of the full duty of 6d. Unless this Resolution is negatived, we could not hereafter consider freely the various deductions and modifications of the duty as it might affect particular trades and industries.
§ Sir H. CRAIKI was anxious to urge this point on the right hon. Gentleman, and I have to thank him for the concession. It would have been a very serious increase of the tax, an increase of 200 per cent., upon the medical profession at a time when a very large number of them are giving gratuitous services to the dependants of soldiers and sailors, and would have placed a burden upon them which would have been out of all proportion to the burden placed upon others.
§ Question, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution," put, and negatived.