§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of businesses that have ceased the resale of paraffin and paraffin products since 6 April; [115823]
197W(2) how many businesses are registered to sell paraffin; [115821]
(3) how many businesses applied to register for the resale of paraffin (a) before 14 February, (b) between 14 February and 5 April and (c) after 5 April. [115822]
§ John HealeyBusinesses approved as Registered Dealers in Controlled Oil are entitled to deal in both rebated gas oil (red diesel) and rebated kerosene/paraffin. No distinction has been made between those businesses dealing solely in paraffin and those dealing in rebated gas oil. Data concerning those businesses that deal solely in paraffin cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.
The number of businesses that applied for approval as Registered Dealers in Controlled Oil (a) before 14 February was 957, (b) between 14 February and 5 April was 2,330, and (c) after 5 April (and up to 21 May) was 771.
As at 21 May 2003 Customs and Excise had approved 3,421 businesses as Registered Dealers in Controlled Oil, and refused 12 applications. Beyond that, no estimate has been made of the number of businesses that may have voluntarily ceased reselling controlled oils since 6 April.