§ Mr. WATTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Albion Motor Company, of Glasgow, in delivering motor vehicles to the War Office, carried passengers to London at 10s. per head, which money was given wholly to Red Cross funds; whether he is aware that his Department stepped in and insisted on hackney carriage licences being paid, with the result that the traffic has been stopped and the Red Cross funds have suffered accordingly; and whether he can intervene in this matter in view of the fact that the money goes to a charity?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have inquired into this matter, and find that the Board of Customs and Excise are advised that the use of the motor vehicles in question in the manner stated involves liability to Hackney Carriage Licence Duty. The fact that the proceeds derived from the traffic 503W are devoted to war charities affords no legal ground for relief from payment of duty. I am informed that even after payment of the tax a substantial surplus would remain for the Red Cross Fund.