§ 3. Dr. John Pugh (Southport) (LD)What studies the Treasury has made of the environmental benefits of a plastic bag tax. [179124]
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (John Healey)The Government conducted an assessment of a plastic bag tax in December 2002. A copy of the report is in the Library.
§ Dr. PughI thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer; I will study the report. Do Ministers agree that our environmental taxation must be evidence-based and, in respect of plastic bag use, take into account reuse, recycling and the disposal costs of substitute packaging?
§ John HealeyThe hon. Gentleman is right in principle and right on the detail. Of course, we make great efforts to ensure that any development of any fiscal decision is evidence-based. That is in part why we conducted an assessment of a plastic bag tax, including in Ireland. I think that he will find that the factors that he mentions are covered in that report, when he gets around to reading it.
§ Mr. Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab)Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating Durham county council on working with major food retailers in the county—such as Tesco, Sainbury's and the Co-operative Society—not only to encourage customers to reuse their carrier bags, but to provide biodegradable carrier bags? Does he agree that that is a better way forward than slapping an arbitrary tax on shoppers?
§ John HealeyWe are keen to see precisely those sorts of initiatives and innovations, and I certainly welcome the moves that have been made in my hon. Friend's area both by the Co-op and by his local council. Beyond plastic bags, it is true that councils more generally are making a real effort and real progress in reducing the amount of waste and increasing the amount of recycling. That is certainly the direction that we need to encourage.