HC Deb 06 May 1924 vol 173 cc217-20
33. Mr. TOOLE

asked the Minister of Transport how many Departmental Committees and Sub-Committees of the Ministry of Transport have been investigating during the past 12 months matters relating to the taxation, regulation and licensing of motor vehicles, and the names of the members of those Committees and Sub-Committees and their Chairman; whether Reports have been received from any such Committees and Sub-Committees; and, if so, which of these Reports have formed the basis of Departmental action?

Mr. GOSLING

As the answer to the hon. Member's question is a long one, I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Two Departmental Committees have been investigating during the past 12 months matters relating to the taxation, regulation and licensing of motor vehicles. These Committees are constituted as follows:—

(1) Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles.

(2) Departmental Committee on the Licensing and Regulation of Hackney Vehicles.

I have received no formal reports from these Committees during the past 12 months, but the two concessions announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement, relating to the surrender of licences and the reduction of the surcharge on quarterly licences, are based on interim recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles.

35. Mr. HAYES

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to introduce legislation at an early date to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles?

55. Mr. TOOLE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the delay in the presentation of the Report of the Departmental Committee of the Ministry of Transport, and the substantial excess annually accruing from motor taxation, he will undertake to introduce special legislation as soon as that Report is received or, alternatively, that he will deal with this matter in such a way as to provide that any alteration in the present system of reduction in taxation shall come into operation as from 1st January next?

Mr. GOSLING

The Departmental Committee have investigated the question most exhaustively, and I must await their Report before arriving at any decision.

56. Mr. HAYCOCK

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the revenue from the taxation of motor vehicles for the period 1st December, 1923, to 29th February, 1924, exceeded that for the corresponding period 1st December, 1922, to 28th February, 1923, by £1,432,967, amounting in the total to no less than £10,086,226, he will expedite the Report of the Departmental Committee of the Ministry of Transport, with a view to making provision in the forthcoming Finance Bill for a substantial reduction in the taxation of those vehicles which do the least damage to the roads, namely, private cars and motor cycles, so that such reduction may come into operation at the 1st of January next?

Mr. GOSLING

I have been asked to answer this question. Everything possible is being done to expedite the Committee's Report, and until I have had an opportunity of considering it, I cannot decide what action may be necessary.

Mr. HAYCOCK

Does the hon. Gentle man think it reasonable that it should take years to produce a comparatively simple Report, and can he say what is responsible for this "ca'canny" policy of the Committee?

Colonel ASHLEY

When the hon. Gentleman considers the Report, will he bear in mind that, though the income has increased, the demands from the local authorities are heavily increasing every year?

Sir DOUGLAS NEWTON

Will the hon. Gentleman set a date by which the Committee is to render this Report, or otherwise set up another Committee to deal with the question?