§ 33. Mrs. LaingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of taxes on fuel on the road haulage industry. [128432]
§ Mr. HillThe Government keep under review the impact of fuel taxation on all sectors of UK industry, including the road haulage industry. Budget 2000 itself contained an important package of measures specifically to further boost the competitiveness of the road haulage industry. These included £45 million of cuts to Vehicle Excise Duty; the introduction of 44-tonne lorries; and tougher enforcement to tackle illegally operating hauliers and protect the competitiveness of legitimate operators. The Road Haulage Forum chaired by Lord Macdonald is also continuing to consider the competitive pressures facing the industry.