§ Mr. THOMAS GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to remove the present restrictions on the supply of petrol; and, if not, will he state the reason why?
§ Major STEELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the Government control of the consumption of petrol will be withdrawn; and if, when that is done, the present licence duty will be withdrawn?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs stated on Wednesday last in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Midlothian and Peebles, the limitations as regards the amount of petrol allowed to applicants for motor spirit licences were removed at the end of last year. Legislation would be required to remove the existing obligation on petrol users to take out licences. The whole question as to the future taxation of petrol is under consideration, but it will not be possible to make any announcement thereon in anticipation of the Budget statement.