§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what would be his estimate of the reduction in the index figure representing the cost of living which would follow the introduction of a rebate scheme whereby organisations concerned in the manufacture and/or distribution of food were able to reclaim the Excise duty currently paid upon the fuel oil they consume.
§ Mr. John FraserPrecise information relating to the total excise payments on 279W hydrocarbon oils by the food manufacture and distribution sector is not available. However, if the excise duties paid on hydrocarbon oils were rebated, and the full value were reflected in reduced food prices, it is estimated that the effect on the general index of retail prices would be less than ⅛ of 1 per cent.