§ 30. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he has sent to the Darlaston Urban District Council with regard to their representations about duties levied upon fuel oil used by public service vehicles.
§ 35. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, following the increase in the tax on fuel used in buses from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per gallon last July, he will now consider a substantial reduction.
§ 43. Mr. Edelmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the heavy burden imposed on bus travellers by the taxation of fuel oil; and, in view of the representations made to him by the Coventry City Council, whether he will re-examine this tax with a view to its remission.
§ Mr. BarberI cannot anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget statement, but the representations of the Coventry City Council and the Darlaston Urban District Council have been noted with others on the same subject.
§ Mr. StonehouseWould the Minister agree that it is rather ridiculous to put a tax on public transport when, in view of road congestion, it is in the general interest that traffic be attracted to it and not away from it?
§ Mr. BarberThe hon. Member will appreciate that I cannot comment on that this time of year.
§ Mr. EdelmanWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind between now and the Budget that the cost of the fuel tax to a city like Coventry is the equivalent of 16½ million 2d. fares? In view of this burden on the cost of living, will he give the matter his careful consideration?
§ Mr. BarberCertainly, Sir.