HC Deb 07 March 1967 vol 742 cc1234-5
6. Mr. Ogden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual amount received from petrol tax for the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965; and what was the annual amount received from car registration fees for the same years.

Mr. MacDermot

With permission I will circulate a table of figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Ogden

Can my hon. and learned Friend say how much it would cost the Inland Revenue account to register one car?

Mr. MacDermot

Not without notice.

Following in the table:

Estimated revenue from tax on road fuel Estimated revenue from vehicle excise duties on cars
£ million (figures for Great Britain)
1960 342 71
1961 383 83
1962 431 100
1963 461 111
1964 529 122
1965 663 147

7. Mr. Ogden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss to the Exchequer if the annual registration fee was reduced from £17 10s. per annum to £2 10s. per annum; and how much per gallon would have to be added to the present tax on petrol in order to recoup such a loss

Mr. MacDermot

£145 million and 8d. per gallon.

Mr. Ogden

I do not ask my hon. and learned Friend to anticipate his right hon. Friend's Budget, but I suggest that he has sufficient information in these two Questions to form the basis of a reasonable reform in April.

Mr. MacDermot

I do not know whether my hon. Friend appreciates that, since commercial and industrial vehicles use more petrol than private vehicles, what he is proposing would represent a substantial shift in taxation from private motoring to industrial costs.