HC Deb 25 October 1976 vol 918 cc58-9W
Mr. Gould

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase in 1975 and so far in 1976 of hourly wage rates, earnings and unit labour costs in manufacturing industry; and what are the comparable figures for import and export prices of manufactures

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The figures are as follows:

pool 18, on 6th July, was not using public transport;

(3) what was the cost of the journey made by the clerk from the office of the Collector of Taxes, Liverpool District 10 to Mr. B. J. McDonald at 8 Caton-field Road, Calderstones, Liverpool 18, on 6th July, in a chauffer-driven car.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The clerk, who was from the office of the Collector of Taxes, Liverpool South Collection, was using a car supplied by the Government Car Service under a scheme operated by the Department of the Environment. The scheme is designed to meet the needs of Government Departments using cars for official purposes.

Government Departments are authorised to use the Government Car Service for official journeys which in all the circumstances including the time factor it is not reasonably practicable to make by public transport. On the day on which the collection officer called on Mr. McDonald, he was making other calls in areas poorly served by public transport and he visited Mr. McDonald as he was passing through his district. A total of 14 calls was made on taxpayers during the period 10.00 to 16.10 hours. Public transport would have been uneconomical since the taxpayers' addresses were scattered throughout the area.

It is not possible to cost in isolation the call made on Mr. McDonald on 6th July 1976 as it was only one of a number of calls made on that day by the collection officer.