§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will commission research on the impact of the provisions of the 1999 Budget on the haulage industry; [108452]
(2) what representations he has received from representatives of the haulage industry (a) nationally and (b) in the North-East region, regarding his forthcoming Budget; [108454]
(3) what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes in vehicle excise duty introduced in his 1999 Budget on the haulage industry; [108456]
(4) what assessment he has made of the impact of the recent changes in the price of diesel fuel on the haulage industry. [108457]
§ Mr. TimmsSince the last Budget, the Government have been working closely with representatives of the haulage industry and unions through the Road Haulage Forum to assess the competitiveness of the UK haulage industry. The forum has conducted research in a wide range of areas, and will continue to monitor the many factors affecting the competitive position of UK hauliers, including their spending costs and total tax burden. I have attended two meetings of the Forum since July and met members of it on other occasions.
In addition to our discussions in the Road Haulage Forum, we have received a number of representations from the haulage industry and other interested parties across the UK. These will all be given careful consideration in the context of the Chancellor's Budget judgment.