Written question asked by Bob Blizzard (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 April 2001. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 23 April 2001 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what factors underlay his decision to raise motorcycle excise duty by £5. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay his decision to raise motorcycle excise duty by £5. [158407] Mr. Timms: The Chancellor announced in Budget 2001 that rates of vehicle excise duty for motorcycles would be frozen until at least 2002. Budget 2000 announced that the general rate of vehicle excise duty for cars would rise by £5 to £160, but deferred the increase until 1 March 2001. Alongside this, the rate of vehicle excise duty for motorcycles with engines over 400 cc rose by £5 per annum. This was the first increase, since the Government were elected, for motorcycles of this engine size. There was no increase in vehicle excise duty for motorcycles below 400 cc.

Secondary information