§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, as a means of conserving fuel, saving the wear and tear on the roads, encouraging people on to the railways and saving subsidies on the railways, he will not introduce a system of tax allowance or subsidies for users of the railways.
§ Mr. Peter Rees, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 3 July 1979; Vol. 969. c. 553], gave the following answer:
Because such a system would discriminate in favour of those who chose for personal reasons to spend their money in this way and against those for whom no rail services are available. It would also involve a substantial loss of revenue and formidable administrative costs.