§ 48. Sir Robert Birdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual cost of the collection of the horse-power tax upon all classes of motor vehicles to the Treasury and Post Office, the county and local authorities, and of the police inspection of motor licences, respectively?
§ Sir J. SimonAs the reply contains a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The expenses of the councils of counties, county boroughs and large burghs in Scotland incurred in connection with the licensing and registration of mechanically-propelled vehicles and the issue of drivers' licences is repayable out of the Exchequer. The sum provided for this purpose in the current year's Estimates (Class VI 18) is £690,000 including approximately £9,000 for the special inspections carried out quarterly by the police. No payment is made to the Post Office for expenses in connection with the renewal of motor vehicle licences, but it is estimated that the expenditure of that Department amounts to about £30,000. The cost of forms, etc., provided by the Stationery Office is estimated at £20,000. The total estimated expenditure is, therefore, £749,000 or 1.72 percent. of the estimated receipts.