§ 2. Mr. Roger Kingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received advocating a revision of the present limit of 1.8 litres for company car tax purposes to 2 litres.
§ The Minister of State, Treasury (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)A number of such representations have been received from motor manufacturers and others.
§ Mr. KingWill my right hon. Friend accept that when the original 1800 cc cut-off point was fixed, a British manufacturer, namely, BL, had an engine which coincided with a figure just below that? BL does not have that engine now, but has engines of 1.6 and just under 2 litres. Why can we not do something thoroughly chauvinistic, nationalistic and dynamic and make it possible for the cut-off point to help our sole remaining British manufacturer by fixing the point at just under 2 litres?
§ Mr. HayhoeMy hon. Friend is asking whether we will give careful consideration to the now fairly uniform view of British motor manufacturers that changes should be made. Of course consideration will be given to the request, but, as ever, when changes are made some will gain and some will lose as a result.