Written question asked by William Ross (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 13 April 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 April 1999. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 April 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the amount of subsidy paid to the road haulage industry in each European Union country in the last financial year; and if he will indicate the basis on which such help is determined. - (Holding answer 16 April 1999).

Answer: Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amount of subsidy paid to the road haulage industry in each European Union country in the last financial year; and if he will indicate the basis on which such help is determined. [81158] Dr. Reid: [holding answer 16 April 1999]: Explicit subsidy to the road haulage industry in EU Member States is generally prohibited by European Community State Aid rules, but assistance can be provided to promote research or the development of more economical transport systems and technologies, to eliminate excess capacity which causes serious structural problems, to facilitate the development of combined transport or to compensate for public service obligations. Information is not available about the extent to which such payments are made in other Member States. However, there is considerable variance in the extent to which the road haulage industries in Member States meet their full costs--to the economy, environment and infrastructure. This depends on the levels of taxation and haulage industry-related expenditure in each country.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 329 c548W; 81158
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: EU countries Industry Freight Large goods vehicles Roads Subsidies