Written question asked by Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 March 2001. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 March 2001 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many rural filling stations closed in 2000; and what action he is taking to ensure the viability of rural petrol stations. - Inc figures and ref to Rural White Paper "A Fair Deal for Rural England". (Holding answer 5 March 2001).

Answer: Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rural filling stations closed in 2000; and what action he is taking to ensure the viability of rural petrol stations. [152363] Mr. Hain: [holding answer 5 March 2001]: The Institute of Petroleum's (IP) UK Retail Marketing Survey (last published in March 2000) shows that the total number of petrol retail outlets in the UK in 1999 was 13,716, a reduction of 42 compared to 1998. The IP survey for 2001 will be published shortly. On 1 March, the Government announced their implementation plan for the Rural White Paper "A Fair Deal for Rural England". In the plan, the Government stated that they intended to extend the village shop rate relief scheme to certain food shops, pubs and garages in small rural settlements as soon as parliamentary time allowed. This would give many petrol retail outlets mandatory rate relief of 50 per cent. provided their rateable value was less than £6,000.

Secondary information