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Mr. Conway
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how a natural bitumen (CN2714) would be taxed in accordance with EC Council directive 92/81/EEC if such hydrocarbon is used as a fuel for power generation with a price and role similar to that of coal.
Sir John Cope
Natural bitumen classified under CN2714 is not specified in EC Council Directive 92/81/EEC and therefore not subject to mineral oils duty under the directive, whereas mixtures based on natural bitumen are classified under CN2715 and when used as a fuel for power generation are subject to duty under the Directive. Clause 10 of the current Finance Bill gives effect to this aspect of the directive.