Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2003. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2003 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress he has made in the development of a scheme for charging road hauliers for road use; and when he expects to implement the scheme. - Inc ref to "Modernising the taxation of the haulage industry - lorry road-user charge - Progress Report Two", available in the Library.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in the development of a scheme for charging road hauliers for road use; and when he expects to implement the scheme. [130966] John Healey: "Modernising the taxation of the haulage industry--lorry road-user charge--Progress Report Two", published on 6 May 2003 and available in the Library of the House, described the Government's plans to develop the lorry road-user charge, alongside an offsetting cut in hauliers' fuel duty. Since then Customs and Excise have been working very closely with the haulage industry and with other stakeholders to refine the detailed requirements of the Charge. This is necessary before the tendering process can begin. The charge is a new and complex development, and it will therefore be some time before we will be certain about when it can be introduced. The Government and the haulage industry want to ensure that the Charge will work reliably and as intended when it goes live. In the meantime our plan remains to introduce the Charge in 2006.

Secondary information