HC Deb 29 January 1959 vol 598 cc137-8W
75. Mr. Elwyn Jones

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he received a letter from the Town Clerk of West Ham concerning the tax on fuel oil; and what was the nature of his reply.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet considered a letter from the Town Clerk of West Ham, concerning the tax on fuel oil; what was the gist of this communication; and what is the nature of his reply.

Mr. Erroll

The Town Clerk wrote to the Treasury on 21st January advocating a reduction in the burden on road fuel duty and other taxation borne by the passenger road transport industry: he has been informed that his Council's representations have been noted.

82. Colonel Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the 200 per cent. rate of duty levied on fuel oil involves omnibus companies in the payment of more than £300 in fuel tax alone, for every vehicle licensed; that, added to this heavy burden of tax, these companies have to pay profits tax, raised from 3 to 10 per cent. by the last Budget, and that the total burden of taxation on omnibus companies is now so great that many country districts are now inconvenienced by the inevitable withdrawal of services previously enjoyed, thus being left without any form of public transport; and if he will bear these facts in mind during the preparation of his Budget proposals.

Mr. Erroll

Representations in this sense have been made to my right hon. Friend who will bear them and other relevant considerations in mind in his general review of taxation before the Budget.