§ 27. Mr. Speedasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the average weekly increase in motoring costs for the owner of an 1100 c.c. car costing about £760 averaging 10,000 miles a year and 35 miles per gallon, taking into account the changes in petrol and lubricating oil duty, motor vehicle licences, and the additional depreciation to allow for purchase tax increases, since October, 1964.
§ Mr. DiamondAbout 14s. 9d.
§ Mr. SpeedI thank the right hon. Gentleman for revealing that deplorable figure. Will not the Government realise even at this late stage that to many millions of people the motor car is essential as a means of getting to work and is not a luxury to be taxed out of existence?
§ Mr. DiamondI see no immediate evidence that it is a luxury being taxed out of existence.