To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effects of the increase in air passenger duty on the levels of air passenger traffic between the Highlands and islands of Scotland and the rest of the world; whether his Department has performed an economic impact assessment of the amended air passenger duty rate; and if he will make a statement. (240678)

Decisions on taxes are a matter for the Chancellor. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend, the Exchequer Secretary, to question number 240702.