Article 1
1. The United Kingdom is hereby authorised to apply a reduced rate of excise duty on gas oil and unleaded petrol, supplied as motor fuel to road vehicles, in the geographical areas covered, on the date of the notification of this Decision, by the postcode districts of IV54 (Highland, Scotland), IV26 (Highland, Scotland), IV27 (Highland, Scotland), NE48 (Northumberland, England), PH41 (Highland, Scotland), KW12 (Highland, Scotland), PA80 (Argyll and Bute, Scotland), PH36 (Highland, Scotland), IV22 (Highland, Scotland), PA38 (Argyll and Bute, Scotland), PH23 (Highland, Scotland), PH19 (Highland, Scotland), IV21 (Highland, Scotland), LA17 (Cumbria, England), EX35 (Devon, England), IV14 (Highland, Scotland) and in the geographical area covered, on the date of the notification of this Decision, by the post town of Hawes (North Yorkshire, England). In order to avoid any overcompensation, the reduction of the standard national rate of taxation for gas oil or unleaded petrol respectively shall be no greater than the additional cost of retail sales in those geographical areas, compared with the average cost of retail sales incurred in the United Kingdom and the reduction shall be no more than GBP 50 (EUR 64) per 1 000 litres of product. 2. The reduced rates shall comply with the requirements of Directive 2003/96/EC, and in particular with the minimum rates laid down in Article 7 thereof.