§ 2. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current annual rate of revenue from the following taxes: (a) special car tax,(b) vehicle excise duty, and (c) excise duty on hydrocarbon fuels.
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Ian Stewart)The estimates included in table 1.8 of the Autumn Statement for 1983–84 are: (a) car tax £625 million, (b) vehicle excise duty £1,968 million, and (c) excise duty on hydrocarbon oils £5,625 million.
§ Mr. MillerWill my hon. Friend acknowledge the contribution that the motor industry is making to the economy and to the Exchequer? Will he, in the coming weeks, carefully reflect on whether that contribution might increase if the rate of tax is slightly reduced?
§ Mr. StewartMy right hon. Friend and I will be reflecting on all these matters in the coming weeks. I am happy to acknowledge the performance of the motor industry, in recent years, after a very difficult period, and I acknowledge the interest and assistance that my hon. Friend has given in that direction. However, the level of taxation on motoring, although it is substantial, cannot be too great a disincentive, since in the first 11 months of this year car sales were an all-time record of 1.72 million.