Quick Protests Over Tax Increase
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IMMEDIATE protests were made by 1. many national associations, representing road transport operators and customers. against the increase in fuel tax announced on Tuesday. The British Road Federation said that the Government appeared to expect road transport to bear the cost of the Suez Canal blockage, and Mr. A. E. Brewer. national chairman of the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Associatio n, described the advance as "vicious and diabolical."
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders foresaw lower employment in the motor industry. The • Road Haulage Association asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to exempt from the higher tax petrolused by commercial vehicles, and all oil fuel.
The London Transport Executive estimated that the increase would cost them an extra £2m. a year.
Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes that the Government are opposed to any increase in bus fares, having worked out that the higher fuel tax would mean a rise of 0.2d. on a 3d. bus fare. It was being pointed out that the extra tax would mean that more people would use buses, which should increase operators' revenu,e.