Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2000. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the cost of producing (a) low sulphur fuels and (b) non-low sulphur fuels; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost of producing (a) low sulphur fuels and (b) non-low sulphur fuels; and if he will make a statement. [140251] Dr. Howells: I have been asked to reply The cost of reducing the sulphur content of fuels will depend on many factors such as refinery configuration and sulphur content of feedstock (in general crude oil) which will differ for each location. Estimates made during the development of the fuel quality directive 98/70/EC, suggested that for the UK as a whole to achieve the Ultra Low Sulphur Petrol sulphur specification the combination of capital and running costs, taken over a 15 year period starting from 2005, would amount to less than 1 pence per litre for gasoline. For Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, over the same time period, costs in the region of 2 pence per litre were identified. Earlier introduction of the specification may result in additional costs for individual manufacturers or importers.

Secondary information