Soviets Ask Sale of Official Cars

Soviet lawmakers grappling for the first time with a government budget suggested on Monday that the vast fleet of official luxury cars be auctioned to help cut the budget deficit.

The Supreme Soviet (Parliament) also proposed hefty taxes on cigarettes and beer to try to pare an estimated $143 billion budget deficit down to $95 billion, at the official rate of exchange.

Selling off the official automobiles would raise $398 million, while a 30% tax on tobacco and a 20% tax on beer would provide $3.7 billion in revenue, according to Finance Minister Valentin S. Pavlov.