Reid votes against in fuel duty and calls for rural fuel discount scheme

10.11.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th May 2009

Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, voted against the two pence rise in fuel duty planned for September. However, in the vote, the fuel duty increase was supported by Labour MPs and the Tories abstained, so the increase will go ahead.

Mr Reid also proposed an amendment to the Finance Bill to cut fuel duty at the pumps in remote parts of the country.

He told the House that the high price of fuel in remote rural areas is having a severe impact on the local economy.

He pointed out that motorists in remote rural areas suffer in three ways.

¨ They have to travel long distances.

¨ The price of fuel is higher than in urban areas.

¨ There is a complete lack of public transport alternatives

Alan Reid said that other countries operate rural fuel duty discount schemes and urged the Government to introduce a similar scheme for islands and remote parts of the mainland.

The Tory front bench spokesman, David Gauke, the MP for South-West Hertfordshire, refused to support Mr Reid’s amendment, arguing that people paid more for their beer in London and the south-east of England.

Mr Reid’s amendment was defeated when Labour voted against and the Tories abstained.

Speaking afterwards, Alan Reid said, “I am disappointed that the Government and the Tories refused to back my move to lower the duty on fuel in remote rural areas. I was particularly outraged by the Tory view that high fuel prices in Argyll & Bute are justified because the price of beer is higher in London and Hertfordshire.”

See http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090513/debtext/90513-0014.htm#09051375002747 for the Hansard record of Alan Reid’s speech.