HC Deb 23 November 2000 vol 357 cc262-3W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlay the decision to allow the sale of red diesel on roadside garage forecourts in Wales. [139587]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I am not aware of such a decision. However, during the fuel protests in September, Customs and Excise exceptionally issued licences to many holders of red diesel, allowing them to use it in their vehicles after paying the difference in duty between red diesel and road fuel. This enabled many diesel users to overcome the worst of the shortages. Once supplies were re-established, all these licences were withdrawn.