§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the actual and estimated yield from duty on road fuel for the years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and what the figure would be if the duty increased had been in line with the RPI. [35866]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 23 March 1998]: The latest estimates of revenue from road fuel duties are £18.9 billion in 1997–98 and £21.2 billion in 1998–99.
If the duty rates had increased in July 1997 and March 1998 in line with the 12 month RPI for September 1997 and September 1998 respectively, the estimates would have been £18.4 billion in 1997–98 and £19.6 billion in 1998–99.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what additional amount the retail prices index has risen since 1992 as a result of the imposition of petrol and diesel fuel excise duty increases compared with the increase that would have occurred if the duty increases had been limited to the RPI. [35512]
447W
§ Dawn PrimaroloHM Customs and Excise estimate that the cumulative increase in the RPI as a result of increases in petrol and diesel duty rates since 1992 (including the 1992 increase) has been 1.36 per cent. Had the duty increases been limited to increases in RPI, the cumulative impact would have been 0.58 per cent. The additional amount is therefore 0.78 per cent.