New Petitions

Petition PE891, which is by Mark Whittet, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to make representations to the United Kingdom Government to impose VAT on aviation fuel.It appears that the petitioner seeks the introduction of VAT on aviation fuel primarily for environmental reasons. The petitioner also considers it unfair that fuel duty should apply to other forms of transportation, but not to aviation.Taxation of aviation fuel is a reserved matter.

I have a question about process. I would have thought that the petition was not competent for us to consider. The petition concerns a reserved matter, so I wonder why it is before us. Our practice used to be to deal with petitions that were not considered to be competent under a third agenda item, so I would be interested in hearing what makes this petition competent.

The petition asks the Scottish Executive to make representations; that makes it admissible. The Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive can take a view on any subject, although they may not be able to deal with it.

That is very interesting. However, since the petition concerns a reserved matter, I suggest that we do nothing further with it. We should close it and refer the petitioner to the Westminster Parliament.

I agree.

Do members agree?Members indicated agreement.