41. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Transport the number of heavy commercial vehicles on the roads of Great Britain and the average mileage per month, per van or wagon; and the estimated total cost of the Petrol Duty to users of these vehicles during the period 24th April, 1928, to 31st March, 1929, at a mileage of five miles to the gallon?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am sending to the hon. Member figures showing the approximate numbers of heavy commercial vehicles driven by internal-combustion engines licensed during the September quarter, 1927. Detailed information as to the annual mileage run by vehicles of particular types is not available, but I may add that a mileage of five miles to the gallon, which the hon. Member mentions, would only apply to the heaviest types of road vehicles.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the total damage that is done to the roads is done by these vehicles?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIt would be quite impossible to say.