§ 18. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the total amount raised to date by the Transport Levy; and when, in accordance with the procedure provided in Section 15 of the Transport Act, 1953, he proposes to terminate this charge.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter£7,830,747 up to the end of May, 1955. I am not yet in a position to determine the date of cessation of the Levy.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the Minister confirm that the amount raised by the Levy is adequate to meet the loss so far incurred by the sales of the vehicles? What is the sense, therefore, of having this tax on industry which is only resulting in a further capital loss to the British Transport Commission if the sales continue and which, at the same time, is incurring the Commission in a loss of revenue?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have given the hon. Member the facts for which he asked. The inferences to be drawn from them are not a matter suitable for argument at Question Time.
§ Mr. CallaghanOn a matter of fact, is the right hon. Gentleman going to the Conservative Transport Committee tonight to explain his failure to sell these lorries? If so, can we have an assurance that what he tells his own colleagues in secrecy upstairs will be communicated to the whole House later?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe first part of the hon. Member's question sounded hypothetical, and the second like a request for an invitation.