§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions Treasury Ministers and officials have(a) held since 7 October 1999 and (b) plan to hold with their counterparts in the Irish Republic to discuss the taxation and smuggling of petroleum products; and if he will make a statement. [110417]
765W
§ Mr. TimmsThe matter of differential fuel taxes was raised at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference held in London on 17 December and attended by the Prime Minister and other Ministerial colleagues. The resulting bilateral work programme will be taken forward by officials with the aim of achieving closer co-operation between the Governments on issues of shared interest.
At an operational level, officials of HM Customs and Excise have regular contact with their counterparts in the Irish Revenue Commissioners to discuss issues of common interest including smuggling of fuel.