§ 46. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Prime Minister whether the inquiries that the Government are instituting into the increased price of petrol will include the increased price being demanded by retailers of paraffin?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)I have been asked to reply. The statement to be submitted by the oil companies will deal with the price of kerosene so far as they are concerned. The price charged by the retailer is, I understand, not a matter of agreement between himself and the oil companies.
§ Sir B. PETOIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that those retailers who are retailing kerosene in small quantities to cottagers are stating that they are obliged to put up the price by 2d. because the Government have raised the price?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir. If they say that, it is incorrect.
Mr. MALONEHas the reply from the oil companies been received yet, or has a time limit for it been fixed?
§ Commodore KINGI answered that question yesterday.
§ 49. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield of a tax or an increase in price of 2¼d. per gallon on the annual petrol consumption of this country?
Mr. SAMUELTaking the same basis as the Budget estimate for 1928–29, a tax of 2¼d. per gallon on petrol would have been expected to yield approximately £7 millions in a full year.
§ Mr. WELLOCKAre the Government to take into consideration the fact that the companies which are to receive this sum paid excellent dividends last year?