Carmichael secures fuel price meeting with Secretary of State Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats)

East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats <info@eastrenfrewshirelibdems.org.uk>

Carmichael secures fuel price meeting with Secretary of State Jim Murphy

August 25, 2009 1:49 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael today confirmed he has secured a meeting with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy MP to discuss the high cost of fuel which continues to punish families and businesses across the Northern Isles.

The Secretary of State will be visiting Orkney and Shetland over the next few days on a Ministerial visit and after representations from Mr Carmichael has agreed to meet a delegation including representatives from the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) and local businesses to discuss the continuing problem of high fuel costs.

Commenting ahead of the meeting, Mr Carmichael said -

"I am glad the Secretary of State has agreed to discuss this issue which is of enormous concern to all Northern Isle residents. I sincerely hope the Minister will engage with the problem and offer a more substantial argument from those which we have previously heard from the Treasury, which are quite frankly laughable. I will be looking to the Minister to offer a credible reason why a fuel duty derogation such as that used in Europe cannot be piloted across Orkney and Shetland."

Last month Mr Carmichael wrote to the Secretary of State inviting him to the Islands to discuss the possibility of a fuel duty rebate for the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

The Secretary of State will meet with Mr Carmichael and other representatives at 7:30 this evening in Mr Carmichael's Orkney constituency office.

Notes:

Recent parliamentary questions from Mr Carmichael to the Scotland Office regarding this matter can be seen below -

20 July 2009 : Column 767W

Fuels: Prices

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department's officials last met HM Treasury officials to discuss the proposals for a reduced fuel prices pilot scheme in island communities in Scotland. [287717]

Ann McKechin: Officials in the Scotland Office have discussions with HMT officials on a regular basis on a variety of issues.

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps his Department has taken to identify suitable locations for the pilot scheme for reduced fuel prices in island communities in Scotland; [287718]

(2) what plans he has for a pilot scheme for reduced fuel prices in the Highlands and Islands; and when the scheme is planned to start. [287719]

Ann McKechin: The Government have no plans to introduce such a scheme. While the Government recognise the impact of higher fuel prices on those living in island communities in Scotland and in other rural areas across the UK, such prices are set by fuel producers and suppliers as a result of their commercial judgments, driven by market forces. OFT reports have repeatedly shown that markets are functioning properly in rural areas such as North West Scotland and the Scottish islands, but any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour on the part of fuel sellers can of course be brought to their attention.

The Secretary of State met with the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid Lib Dem) at his request to discuss these issues.