§ 49. Mr. Arbuthnotasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to relieve farmers and others who use petrol to run electric-light plants, from the hardship caused by the increase in the price of petrol.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.
§ 50. Captain Soamesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates it will be possible to table the resolution dealing with the grants which it is proposed to make to relieve farmers from the effects of the increased duties on hydro-carbon oils; whether he will give further details as to the organisations which he proposes to consult before reaching a decision in the matter; and whether the resolution will have retrospective effect to the date when the extra tax came into operation.
§ 61. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement as to the grants he proposes to make to afford farmers some relief from the effects of the increased duties on hydro-carbon oils; and, in particular, if he will state the date from which such relief will operate.
§ Sir S. CrippsSeparate legislation, distinct from the Finance Bill, will be necessary before these grants can be paid. The necessary Bill will be prepared as early as possible, but I cannot yet say when it will be ready. The organisations to be consulted are the National Farmers' Unions of the United Kingdom, and the Agricultural Engineers' Association, representing the manufacturers. I cannot at present go into the details of the promised scheme, including the question of the operative date, the settlement of which will in part depend upon the results of these consultations.
§ Mr. ErrollCould the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether the proposed relief will relieve farmers only of 1574 the increase of tax or of the whole of that hydro-carbon oil duty?
§ Sir S. CrippsIt will aim at removing the onus of the increase.
§ Captain DuncanWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider the inclusion in this scheme of the oil used by fishermen'?
§ Sir S. CrippsI do not think that would come under the category of agricultural uses.
62. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will agree to making some allowance in the cost of petrol to paraplegic ex-Service men who have been issued with motor cars by the Ministry of Pensions, and who rely on these vehicles for their every movement
§ Sir S. CrippsI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and myself to Questions on this subject on 25th April.
Air-Commodore HarveyIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the reply to which he refers cannot be applied to these unfortunate men? Will he consult with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, because in the past he has been sympathetic to these men who depend for every movement on their motor vehicles, and will he also bear in mind that they are only a few in number? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman review this matter?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf this is for a special class of war pensioners, perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will address the Question to my right hon. Friend.