HC Deb 31 July 1978 vol 955 cc75-6W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the savings in Civil Service manpower if the road fund licence were abolished and the same revenue raised by increasing petrol tax, taking into account evasion under the present system.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

An exact figure is not available but it is estimated that the abolition of vehicle excise duty on

£ million
End-December 1945 478*
End-December 1951 2,416
End-September 1964 1,927
End-June 1970 3,051
End-March 1974 1,879
End-March 1978 6,779
*Long-term borrowing only.

The level of borrowing outstanding at the end of June 1978 is provisionally estimated at around £6,450 million.

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