33. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to avoiding penalising, by way of tax, farmers who have petrol-burning tractors, he will now consider removing the tax from agricultural petrol, or, alternatively, giving a rebate of 6d. per gallon on petrol used for agricultural purposes.
§ Sir S. CrippsI am afraid the hon. Member's suggestions are not practicable.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the Chancellor realise that, generally speaking, the petrol-burning tractor is the most efficient, and why do the Government continue to handicap the increased production of food at home by putting a tax on the use of petrol for food and other agricultural purposes? Surely there is some sense somewhere?
§ Sir S. CrippsI should not like to become a partisan between the merits of the Diesel and the petrol engine.