§ 44. Mr. RAPERasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the wear and tear to roads caused by motor omnibuses throws considerable expense on the local authorities; and whether he will consider the possibility of introducing legislation to provide for the payment of a fair mileage rate by the owners of private motor omnibuses to the highway authority?
§ Sir E. GEDDESAs I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Gateshead on Monday, 10th December, a Departmental Committee is now considering the whole question of the taxation of mechanically propelled road vehicles, with a view to advising on the simplest means of securing revenue to assist the highway authorities of the country in meeting the increasing cost of the maintenance and repair of highways. It is by no means certain that a mileage rate, as suggested, would be in the best interests of the highway authorities.