§ 1. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions the cost to his Department of the payment of road tax and petrol allowances for cars and tricycles, etc., supplied to war-disabled pensioners at the latest convenient date; and the estimated increase resulting from the Budget proposals.
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Heathcoat Amory)The cost of the road tax on the motor cars is £18,830 a year, which will increase by about £4,700, and on the motor tricycles £3,800 a year, which will not be affected by the Budget proposals.
There is no petrol allowance for either the cars or the tricycles. A contribution is, however, made towards the running and repair costs of the cars, and the motor tricycles are maintained at State expense.
§ Mr. LewisAs the Minister will be aware, many of these disabled ex-Service men find it difficult now to meet the cost of petrol and, in view of the increased petrol tax, will he consider making them some allowance or approaching the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to giving them special remission from this increased petrol tax?
§ Mr. LewisWill the hon. Gentleman consider the question contained in the supplementary question and, perhaps, deal with it at a later date?
§ Mr. F. A. BurdenWill the Minister give the approximate mileage per gallon of these vehicles?
Mr. AmoryI think that the mileage of the cars varies between 30 and 40. The mileage of the motor tricycles varies according to whether they are all-weather tricycles or ordinary ones. I understand that the mileage of the all-weather tricycles is rather higher than that of the ordinary tricycles. The mileage of the latter is, I think, something like 70 to the gallon.