What They . Said About the 7 1 / 2 d.
Page 31
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A UTHORITATIVE comments on Pi the increased fuel duty have come from the following:— Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders:—" Dismayed to learn that the Government is looking to the Nation's foremost exporting industry to swell the coffers of the Exchequer. . . The latest increase in duty, tending again to raise the cost of living generally, will again redound most harshly upon the motor industry." The Society adds that motor taxation has more than doubled during the past four years to over £275m.
Lord Sandhurst, chairman of the British Road Federation :—" In view of the Cabinet's concern over the rise in bus fares, it is astonishing that they have apparently not considered at least a lower rate of tax for Diesel oils on which most public-service vehicles now operate. This is a widespread practice in other countries of the Commonwealth and in Western Europe. About 1,150,000 tons of Diesel oils are used for this purpose. Relief at the rate of 71d. a gallon (the additional duty now imposed) will cost £9im.—a modest enough figure, but one which would effectively -help to check a further rise in public transport fares."
He added that this concession, if granted, Would not affect the broader issue that the increased tax would saddle trade and industry with a further unjustified burden.
In an earlier statement, the B.R.F. said that the Government should reconsider the imposition of a tax which would produce results opposite to those which it sought to achieve by other measures.
Mr. Frank F. Fowler, national chairman, Road Haulage Association :—The addition of 7id. a gallon to the fuel tax is hard and must be passed on to the consumer, but the Budget is not nearly as burdensome as was expected. Mr. Butler has done a good job.
Sir William Rootes, chairman of the Rootes Group :—Britain's biggest exporter, the automobile industry, is again
the mulch cow . . the motor transport industry of this country is carrying too heavy a load, and this, in turn, will affect industrial and agricultural productivity and costs,"
Mr. F. I). Fitz-Gerald, national secretary, Traders' Road Transport Association :—" This further imposition . . . can only be at a very serious economic cost both to the national economy as a whole, and to the community in general." Although the present Government, like its predecessor, had given a definite warning of the perils of inflation, the Chancellor had arbitrarily increased the price of fuel, and the public would now he well aware of the effects which followed the rise in duties imposed by the 'former Government. . Mr. W. A. Winson, member of the T.R.T.A. London and Home Counties Area Committee :—" A serious setback. ... Almost inevitably we will have to seek to pass it on to the ultimate consumer.".
Public Transport Association:— " Another staggering blow, and at a time when the industry Was looking for some substantial release from the crushing burden of taxation."