Another Attack on Road Transport
Page 27
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
'THE Chancellor of the Exchequer
delivered another blow at road transport in the Budget, on Tuesday, when he increased the tax on fuel by 4(1. a gallon, making the basic retail price 3s. 6d. a gallon. He said that £35m. was expected to be yielded this year and £36m. in a full year.
The tax on fuel is now Is. 101d. gallon.
The duty on indigenous oil has also been raised by 43d a gallon.
Fares schedules which have just been overhauled will now have to be examined afresh and wholesale applications for higher charges may be expected. It is likely also that haulage rates may have to he adjusted.
The increase in purchase tax on ears from 334per cent. to 661= per cent, will also raise the operating costs of industry and affect the general cost of living.
The Road Haulage Association said that Om. would be added to the costs of the 120,000 free-enterprise haulage vehicles. The increase in fuel tax was aimed directly at the highly efficient road transport industry and represented a deliberate attempt to buttress the railways against the effects of the latest 10 per cent, rise in charges, the R.H.A. statement added.