HC Deb 19 February 1948 vol 447 cc1336-7
59. Mr. Gammans

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the present revenue from motor fuel taxation and the licence duty on road vehicles is likely to amount to approximately £100,000,000 in the current financial year; and whether, in view of the fact that this sum greatly exceeds Government road expenditure, he will consider revising the basis of taxation on road transport in order to effect some reduction in the transport costs of industrial and agricultural production.

58. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the importance of reducing the cost of British exports of which road transport costs are an important factor, he will now consider limiting the taxation on road transport to a level which will provide sufficient funds for the maintenance and construction of roads but no more.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Question of the hon. and gallant Member on 17th February last.

Mr. Gammans

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate, in view of the fact that a very large part of this taxation is paid by commerce, industry or agriculture, the effect that it must have on our competitive power throughout the world?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

That is, of course, true of almost any tax.