§ 65. Mr. Cuthbertasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the loss caused to the nation's economy by the fact that local authorities are being prevented from collecting waste paper owing to the removal of tax-free privileges in connection with the trailers used for this purpose; and whether he will arrange exemption from the Road Fund tax in connection with this work.
§ Mr. JayIt has for some time been the view of the Board of Trade that salvage of waste paper should be arranged on an economic basis, and this, of course, includes payment of the normal excise licence duties on vehicles employed in collecting it. I therefore see no justification for seeking power to restore the wartime exemption.
§ Mr. CuthbertIs it not a fact that the collection of waste paper products in the past was a great saver of dollars, and stopped us from importing a certain amount of newsprint? Should not the concession made with that object be carried on, as suggested in the Question?
§ Mr. JayIf it is agreed that this should be done on an economic basis, it is clear that these vehicles should pay duty in the same way as any other vehicles.