§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the availability of ultra-low sulphur diesel; if she will estimate the number of retail outlets where the product is currently available; and what is the difference in retail price between ultra-low sulphur diesel and standard diesel road fuel following the Budget Statement. [35713]
§ Mr. BattleI expect the availability of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel to increase following the changes in the levels of excise duty announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget of 17 March. My Department does not collect specific data on the number of outlets retailing this fuel; however, most current retail suppliers of ultra-low sulphur diesel are supermarkets and it is estimated that there are about 270 retail sites where this fuel is available. The setting of retail prices for fuels is a matter for the fuel suppliers.