§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of the fuel duty rebate in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and what the projection is for (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [91404]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have been asked to reply.
Expenditure on fuel duty rebate in Great Britain as a whole and the rate of rebate per litre for diesel (the fuel predominantly used by bus operators) in each of the years requested is as follows:
Year Expenditure (£ million) Rate of Rebate (Pence per litre) 1995–96 229 25.14 1996–97 228 25.14 1997–98 227 25.14 1998–99 271 29.85 1999–2000 1333 35.07 1 Estimated 558W
Number of deaths in Kidderminster registration district, where the River Severn or an unspecified river is mentioned, 1993–98 Verdict Cause River Severn River not specified Suicide Drowning 1 0 Open Drowning 3 1 Cause not ascertainable 1 0 Accident Fall into water 1 1 Fall into water in course of epileptic fit 0 1 Drowning 1 0 Total 7 3 Expenditure in future years will depend on the total fuel consumed in operating eligible routes for which bus operators make claims for rebate, and on decisions still to be taken on the proportion of duty to be rebated in each year.