§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what schemes he has evaluated to assist petrol retailers in Northern Ireland to cope with differential rates of excise duty in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [62236]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 3 December 1998]: The lead on this is being taken by HM Customs & Excise which, in conjunction with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, is acting to counter the threat posed to legitimate petrol retailers, the wider business community and the collection of revenue. While my right hon. Friend sees no grounds for specific assistance to Northern Ireland petrol retailers, some of the measures in the £315 million Economic Initiative he announced last May are likely to be directly beneficial to Northern Ireland petrol retailers. The measures included the extension of 100 per cent. capital 345W allowances on expenditure by small and medium enterprises on machinery or plant used in Northern Ireland and a substantial and extensive capital investment in Northern Ireland's road network.