§ Mr. Beithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in determining the levels of duty on diesel and petrol he fixed in the Budget, he intended to ensure that the retail price of diesel became substantially less than that of petrol; and whether that effect has occurred.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneThe slight widening of the differential in the duties on petrol and on diesel oil for road use (derv), announced in the Budget speech, was intended to limit the impact of the duty increases on industrial and distribution costs. Pump prices are a matter for the trade.