§ Mr. Bishopasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of tariff on imported cars and vehicles; the percentage 168W of purchase tax levied on cars and vehicles sold on the home market; and if, in the event of tariff reductions on imported vehicles, he will reduce by the same amount the purchase tax levied on the sale of United Kingdom produced vehicles.
§ Mr. HigginsThe full rates of import duty on motor vehicles range from 9 per cent. to 22 per cent. of their value. Full details are published in chapter 87 of H.M. Customs and Excise Tariff, a copy of which is available in the Library.
The rate of purchase tax levied on those passenger vehicles which are chargeable is 36⅔ per cent. of their wholesale value: this applies to passenger vehicles produced in the United Kingdom and imported passenger vehicles alike. As to the last part of the Question, such a discriminatory reduction would involve a breach of our international treaty obligations.