§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to give tax incentives to those producing bio-diesel from(a) rape seed oil and (b) recycled waste edible oils; and if he will make a statement. [100243]
§ Mr. TimmsThere are no such plans. At this time, particularly with the success of the introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel to the UK market, the case for a tax incentive for bio-diesel remains uncertain.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce duty on bio-diesel produced through the recycling of waste edible oils to the same level as on other environmentally-friendly fuels; and if he will make a statement. [100242]
§ Mr. TimmsThere are no such plans. There is little information available to support the case for a duty reduction to the same level as road fuel gas, the only other fuel that has a duty rate less than that on ultra low sulphur diesel.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to encourage production of bio-diesel; and if he will make a statement; [100244]
(2) if he will maintain duty on bio-diesel at the same level as that on mineral diesel; and if he will make a statement. [100222]
§ Mr. TimmsThere are no plans to change the current duty arrangements for bio-diesel. The environmental benefits of cleaner diesel fuel are well understood and the UK has taken a lead internationally by encouraging the production of ultra low sulphur diesel. It is not clear that encouraging the production of bio-diesel would add measurably to the benefits already enjoyed.