§ 47. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD - BURYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his statement in the Budget of last year, he can give, approximately, the amounts that would be brought in by a 4d. and a 6d. tax per gallon on petrol?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)The estimates asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend could not be framed except on the basis of a number of assumptions as to the possible scope of a duty upon motor spirit, which must vary widely according to the particular point of view. In these circumstances I regret that I am unable to supply the information.
Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-RURYDid not the right hon. Gentleman on the last Budget say that he would look into the matter, and does not this mean that he has not looked into it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOn the contrary, I have been looking into it continually, and not at all by my own unaided eyesight, but with the assistance of many competent experts. Nevertheless, I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject this afternoon.