Hong Kong - The Hong Kong government said Tuesday it was considering cutting the duty on diesel, one week after lorry drivers staged a slowdown protest through the city centre.

But a government spokesman pointed out the duty on diesel in the former British colony accounts for less than 5 per cent of overall retail price, a low level by world standards.

The announcement of the review on diesel duty rates came one day before Hong Kong legislators debate a motion to call for lower duties on fuel to combat soaring fuel prices.

Last Tuesday, hundreds of lorry drivers marched to the government offices in the city of 6.9 million demanding a cut in fuel duty to offset soaring diesel prices.

At the same time, some 30 lorries and trucks staged a slow-drive protest through busy central business districts to press their point for lower duties. (dpa)