§ Mr AingerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations he has carried out into the effect of not announcing the rate of excise duty on biodiesel produced from crops on the development of those fuels under section 11 of the Finance Act 1993. [27089]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryNo such investigations have been instituted since those few businesses involved in the production of biofuels have had regular meetings and correspondence with officials in Customs and Excise and are fully aware of the Government's intentions.
§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposed commencement order for excise duty on biodiesel fuels. [26658]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe House will be aware of our obligation to impose excise duty on mineral oil substitutes, such as DERV substitutes from rape methyl ester, which arises from the mineral oil structures directive 92/81/EEC.
A draft of the necessary Treasury order to implement the charge to duty will be set to the interested parties before the House rises for the summer recess. Subject to comments received in response to that draft, the Government's intention is to make the order effective from early autumn.