§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 November 2000,Official Report, column 246W, on ultra low sulphur fuel, for what reason he is unable to provide estimates of costs for future years. [140779]
949W
§ Mr. TimmsAs announced on page 127 of the pre-Budget Report, the announced cuts in ultra low sulphur road fuels are
conditional on the oil companies guaranteeing nationwide accessto ultra low sulphur petrol (ULSP). The cost of the cuts will depend on the speed with which the oil companies now respond. An indicative estimate of the likely cost in 2001–02 was contained in the pre-Budget Report. Costings for 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 will be published in Budget 2001, if the cuts are implemented.