§ 88. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state for any convenient period the annual return received by his Department in petrol tax and road fund duty, respectively; and whether he will give an estimate of the extent to which his revenue would increase or decrease if the road fund duty were abolished and an additional sixpence per gallon added to the petrol tax, taking into account the release of those that would no longer be necessary to administer the duties connected with the road fund tax.
§ Mr. DiamondIn 1965–66 estimated receipts of petrol tax and motor vehicle duty were £711 million and £235 million. If the motor vehicle duty were abolished and 6d. per gallon added to the petrol tax the revenue would decrease by £135 million. Vehicle licensing is coupled with vehicle registration which would have to continue even if the licence duty were abolished.