§ 56. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cars that had licences taken out during the second and third quarters did not have licences taken out for them for the last quarter of 1922 and for the first quarter of 1923; and what has been the loss to the Exchequer owing to the present unfair system of taxation on horse-power and not on fuel?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I have been asked to answer this question. I have no precise information on the point raised in the first part of the question. The approximate numbers of quarterly licences for motor vehicles taxed on the horse-power basis, which were current at quarterly dates in 1922 were as follow:
| 28th February | 29,397 |
| 31st May | 48,103 |
| 31st August | 52,181 |
| 30th November | 30,702 |
§ The figures for 28th February, 1923, are not yet available.
§ As regards the last part of the question, I am not aware that there has been any loss to the Exchequer, but the whole question of fuel tax is now being considered by a Departmental Committee.
§ Captain Viscount CURZONWhy is it that the proceedings of this Committee have been so long drawn out?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe Noble Lord knows that the proposals which the Committee have to consider are very far-reaching and complicated, and I can assure him that there has been no avoidable delay.
§ Mr. G. A. SPENCERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Committee hope to come to a decision before the Budget is introduced?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThat rests with the Committee, and the Departmental Committee have freedom of action in this matter.