§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the tax of 4d. per gallon levied on petrol-driven tractors used for arable cultivation really falls on British food production, and that the total incidence of the tax on a 1,000 acre arable farm is more than double the amount of rates payable before the farm was de-rated, he will consider granting a rebate of 3s. to 4s. per acre actually cultivated against receipts for petrol certified by a farmer to have been used for arable cultivation?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENThe information obtained by my predecessor at the time of the inception of the oil tax showed that with very few exceptions agricultural tractors are run on kerosene, though a little petrol may be used for starting purposes. He decided that in the circumstances there were no adequate grounds for a rebate, and I see no ground for disturbing that decision.