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Road Transport Activities
Page 109
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IN PARLIAMENT
Attitude Towards Higher Taxation.
IT was expected that in the later stages of the Budget debates, and more particularly in Committee on the Finance Bill, the views of the road-transport interests would find expression on the floor, of the House. Their case required much more preparation than the mere pious expression of acquiescence with the Chancellor's proposals coming from members who obviously support the Salter recommendations. Members of Parliament who are specially interested .in the questions at issue are being informed of. the objections felt by the industry with regard to the new rates, and it is hoped that the result will be a clear exposition in Parliament of the industry's views.
A memorandum containing notes on the increased scales has been prepared, and we understand that it embodies the general attitude of some of the principA.
associations. It is admitted, instance, that a revision of duties on commercial-motor vehicles was to be expected in order to correct the somewhat anomalous position under which the annual licence fee was not increased beyond an unladen weight of 5 tons. When it was observed that the modification was coupled with an increase on all but the smallest of commercial vehicles, the strongest objection was raised to the method by which the principle was operated.
Two Main Objections.
THE objection is based on two main grounds—that there is no reason to suppose that commercial vehicles as a whole are not, on the old scale, paying their fair share of road costs ; and therefore, that to the extent to which it is proposed additionally to tax commercial vehicles in the aggregate, an extra and uncalled-for burden is being placed • on trade, industry and the community.
It is suggested that a more equitable basis for scaling should be on the lines of that envisaged in the Report of the Royal Commission on Transport, which Would charge the 9-ton to 10-ton vehicle on the basis of £120 per annum.
Half-ton Steps.
IT is suggested on behalf of the vehicle manufacturers and users that the system of half-ton steps already operating up to 3 tons should be extended to vehicles of greater weight right through the scale up to 10 tons. This is suggested because the Budget scales are very steep. The duty proposed, it is said, is now so high that there will be all the more temptation to reduce the safety margin in design in erder to come within the weight for the next lower ton and smaller duty. it would give designers more freedom and, in the long run, the yield of the duty would not be reduced.
The proposals with regard to the