HC Deb 21 March 1960 vol 620 c15W
Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates Government revenue would increase as a result of charging the hydrocarbon oil duties in respect of fuel oil for industrial and heating purposes, distinguishing the yield as between imported and home-produced fuel oil

Mr. Barber

About 3,800 million gallons of fuel oil were delivered during 1959 for use in the United Kingdom for industrial and heating purposes; none of this oil was indigenous. I cannot provide any useful estimate of the yield from extending the present hydrocarbon oil duty of 2s. 6d. a gallon to fuel oil since it is not possible to assess the very considerable effect this would have on consumption.