HC Deb 04 April 2000 vol 347 cc459-60W
Mr. Nicholls

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a decision on the aviation fuel tax proposed by the European Commission will be made under qualified majority voting or unanimity procedure. [117299]

Mr. Timms

The Commission proposal for a Council Directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products, which was made in March 1997, is subject to unanimity.

Mr. Nicholls

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment of the cost implications for the United Kingdom aviation industry of the aviation fuel tax proposed by the European Commission. [117300]

Mr. Timms

I have made no such assessment.

Mr. Nicholls

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy in respect of the European Commission's proposed aviation fuel tax; and if he will make a statement. [117298]

Mr. Timms

The Government have no plans to take advantage of the Commission's proposal to allow member states to opt to tax aviation fuel used on domestic flights, and on flights within the EU by bilateral agreement. The Government support the removal of the international ban on the taxation of aviation fuel and will continue to pursue this in the forum of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.