§ Pete WishartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the impact of the level of fuel prices on the economy of rural Scotland. [7066]
§ Mrs. LiddellIn November 2000, the Scotland Office published a survey, commissioned from independent consultants, of the cost of motoring in Scotland as compared with other parts of Europe. The survey looked at the total cost of motoring in 15 European countries. It 411W concluded that the overall cost of motoring in rural Scotland is similar to the UK's average, and significantly less than some of our European neighbours. Fuel costs have declined since then.
§ Pete WishartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the impact of fuel taxes on the economy of rural Scotland. [7065]
§ Mrs. LiddellI have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a wide range of issues, including the state of the Scottish economy.
The Chancellor, in his Budget of 2001, announced a package of measures to encourage cleaner transport, including reductions to the main road fuels. The Budget also included the abolition of VED on agricultural vehicles. The package will benefit up to 20,000 agricultural businesses in Scotland and, taken together, represents the equivalent of a 4p per litre cut in fuel duty to motorists and a 7p per litre duty cut to hauliers.
These changes have brought significant benefit to the people of Scotland, which I am sure have been especially welcome to rural communities.