§ 22. Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the proposed climate change levy. [95845]
§ Ms HewittThe Government have had many representations from business about the proposed climate change levy and accompanying reduction in employers' National Insurance contributions which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his last Budget. We will be taking account of the views of business in designing the details of the levy so that the environmental benefits can be achieved while safeguarding competitiveness.
§ 23. Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of the climate change levy on manufacturing competitiveness. [95847]
§ Ms HewittThe Government have said it aims to design the levy in a way which maximises its environmental effectiveness while safeguarding competitiveness. We have therefore been developing our understanding of the perspectives of different sectors of Industry to inform our decisions on the levy for the Finance Bill 2000.