Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 December 2007. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007 on behalf of the Treasury.

Freight: Roads

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the economic prospects for the UK road freight sector, with particular reference to the effects of (a) freight taxes, (b) excise duties and (c) fuel prices.

Answer: In taking taxation decisions as part of the Budget process the Government consider a range of factors all relevant environmental, social and economic factors—including those relating to specific industry sectors—into consideration.Further to this process, the Haulage Industry Task Group, consisting of Government officials and representatives from the road haulage industry and business sector, published a report in December 2006, designed to better understand the issues raised in 2005 Burns Inquiry into fuel prices, freight taxes and foreign competition. The report is published at:"http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pre_budget_report/prebud_pbr06/other_docs/prebud_pbr06_odhaulage_cfm"

Secondary information