HC Deb 06 February 2001 vol 362 cc496-7W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the recovery of petrol vapour for(a) use as furnace fuel and (b) use in the production of electricity. [148606]

Mr. Timms

No such assessment has been made.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the decision of the Financial Secretary not to allow a rebate on petrol vapour recovered by vapour recovery systems and used to produce electricity. [148607]

Mr. Timms

There is no scope within the provision of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 to allow such a rebate, and I am not persuaded that such a change is necessary or desirable given that recovery of vapour is required by environmental regulation.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the yield is of customs duty on petrol vapour recovered by vapour recovery systems and used in the production of electricity. [148605]

Mr. Timms

No such figure is available.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the incidence of double taxation in the imposition of duty on petrol vapour recovered by vapour recovery systems and used to produce electricity. [148604]

Mr. Timms

There is no double taxation. Duty is charged only once, when the petrol leaves the refinery. There is no relief from duty on petrol used to power engines or turbines.

Petrol vapour recovered and returned to duty-suspended stocks at the refinery is, by concession, eligible for duty refund to prevent subsequent double taxation when redelivered as liquid fuel.