§ 65. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, wether he is aware that the occupant of Holmhead Farm, Lesmahagow, who runs a one-ton motor lorry, finds that the increase of petrol tax by 4d. is greater by the sum of £8 than the relief under the de-rating scheme, and whether he intends to give consideration to such cases?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)As regards the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend has no information. As regards the second part, the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not the business of the Scottish Office to find out whether this is so or not, and is it not rather a 1707 reflection at the beginning, before the Measure is really completed, that people are going to be incapable of checking what is to be their ratio? Are they going to be left in the position of being unable to understand what they are going to get by de-rating? Cannot they make this calculation?
§ Major ELLIOTThe hon. Member asked me whether this gentleman had written to the Scottish Office or not. The answer is that he has not.
§ Mr. HARDIEI have not asked that; the question is quite plain. The occupant of this farm requires a one-ton lorry which he uses on 365 days in the year to take milk into the city, and his average consumption of petrol is four gallons per day.
§ Mr. HARDIEYou do not want your Bill to be shown up. The tax on that, at 4d. per gallon—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time for a speech.
§ Mr. HARDIEI want to ask if the Scottish Office is ignorant of the fact that the tax of 4d. a gallon on petrol for a one-ton lorry used on 365 days of the year comes to £8 more than he will get from the de-rating on his farm?
§ Major ELLIOTThe hon. Member appears to have a great deal of information on the subject, which he is taking this opportunity of imparting.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not—[Interruption.] I will come back.