PLEASURE BOATS AND RED DIESEL

That this House commends the Government for securing a derogation to the European Energy Products Directive which has enabled private recreational boat users to purchase red diesel; notes that this derogation will expire on 1st January 2007 but that the Government has yet to state whether it intends to seek an extension to it; further notes that unless recreational boat users are allowed to continue purchasing red diesel then the cost of their fuel will triple; further notes that it is already more expensive to own a boat in the UK than in many other EU countries due to the escalating mooring charges imposed by the Crown Estate Commissioners; further notes that there are an estimated 451,000 private pleasure boats in the UK and that the marine industry employs over 30,000 people in economically fragile coastal and inland waterways communities; further notes that a significant rise in the price of diesel for recreational boat users will constitute a direct threat to safety, through the increased use of petrol engines with all the associated risks, and through a fall in the availability of waterside diesel suitable for recreational craft; further notes, however, that pleasure boats use up only 0.05 per cent. of the diesel consumed in the UK; and therefore calls on the Government to pursue an extension of this derogation so that recreational boat users can continue to purchase red diesel at a lower rate of duty which will remain readily and widely available.