Pilot schemes to cut petrol prices by 5p a litre in rural areas should be extended to Wales, says local MP Simon Hart.

The "derogation scheme" to cut fuel duty cut by 5p a litre is being looked at for the Northern Isles, the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Scilly Isles.

In an opposition debate on fuel prices yesterday, the Treasury Minister Justine Greening suggested that the Welsh Assembly Government consider alleviating the high costs of fuel from their own budget "to fund their own form of grant scheme to support motorists in their areas."

Taking part in the debate, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart asked for reassurances that "rural" areas would be properly defined.

"As part of the derogation, will the Government please make sure that the definition of "rural" is a great deal more scientific than it has been in previous attempts?" he asked Ms Greening. "And will she also make sure that the interests of Wales are not left out?"

Ms Greening replied: "One of the reasons that our initial discussions with the European Commission are so important is that they are an opportunity to scope properly any rural fuel duty rebate, why we would introduce it, where it would apply and the basis on which it would take place.

"In other countries, specific arguments have been made for the particular areas where such rebates were allowed by the European Commission. The benefit of going through the process, as we are doing, is that it maximises the chance that any proposal that we make will be given the go-ahead."

Mr Hart welcomed the Government's attempts to lessen the cost of fuel burden felt in rural areas.

"Those of us lucky enough to live in the countryside are more reliant on cars because of a lack of public transport and because we have to travel longer distances," he said. "Anything that lessens the cost of motoring for rural residents is to be welcomed and I would reiterate Ms Greening's call on the Labour-Plaid Government in Wales to look into a similar scheme."