HC Deb 20 May 2003 vol 405 cc665-6W
Mr. Weir

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the level of price for a barrel of oil at which he would not introduce on 1 October the annual valorisation of petrol prices set out in Clause 4 of the Finance Bill. [114771]

John Healey

In his Budget Speech of 9 April 2003, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor stated that he was deferring the annual revalorisation of fuel duties until 1 October 2003owing to the recent high and volatile level of oil prices as a result of military conflict in Iraq". He also said if the current international uncertainties and volatility remain, I will not proceed with the change at all". [Official Report, 9 April 2003, col. 278,]