HC Deb 01 March 1949 vol 462 cc179-80
40. Mr. Gammans

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for an estimate of the loss to the Exchequer for the current year and the next financial year if the registration tax on older motor cars was reduced to that allowed for new motor cars.

Sir S. Cripps

In a full year, £5¾ million. If a change were introduced, the effect in the financial year would depend on the date as from which the change applied and the arrangements made for refunds.

Mr. Gammans

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman, when preparing his Budget, consider this claim of the motoring community, and has he not had representations from the motoring associations on this matter?

Sir S. Cripps

I have had representations on every conceivable point that might come into the Budget, and I have borne them all in mind.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind the invitation of his predecessor that, after a suitable period, we should exert pressure on him in this matter, and will he show himself as accommodating as his predecessor appeared to me?

Sir S. Cripps

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Is it not hard that the Ministry of Supply should prevent persons from getting new cars, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should penalise them for having old cars?

Sir S. Cripps

It seems to me to be an admirable combination.

46. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to put pre-January, 1947, and post-January, 1947, motor cars on the same tax basis.

34. Mr. J. Langford-Holt

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will extend the flat rate of car road fund tax to cover all cars regardless of date of purchase or first taxation.

Sir S. Cripps

I am afraid I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the Chancellor aware that the whole arrangements are full of anomalies and are grossly unjust, which is so typical of the Socialist Government?