Reid on Fuel

REID WELCOMES “CONSTRUCTIVE MEETING” WITH SCOTTISH SECRETARY ABOUT RURAL FUEL DISCOUNT SCHEME

Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, today met Jim Murphy, Secretary of State for Scotland, to put forward his proposal for a pilot fuel duty discount scheme on one or more islands.

Mr Reid told Mr Murphy that the price of fuel was always much higher on the islands in his constituency than in urban areas. Alan Reid suggested that the Treasury could experiment with a pilot scheme on one or more islands. This pilot scheme would involve cutting the rate of fuel duty on the island(s) in question.

Mr Reid said that other European countries operate remote rural fuel duty discount schemes. He pointed out that there would be no possibility of fraud because it would not make sense for anyone to buy fuel on the island and transport it back to the mainland.

Mr Murphy told Mr Reid that he would discuss Mr Reid’s proposal with Treasury Ministers.

Speaking after the meeting, Alan Reid said,

“We had a very constructive meeting. Jim Murphy was interested in my proposal and he promised to discuss it with Treasury Ministers. I hope that the Treasury will agree to try a pilot scheme on one or more islands. A reduction in the extortionate fuel prices on our islands would be a tremendous boost to their economies.”

ENDS