§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposal has been made by the European Community for a tax on energy designed to reduce the threat of global warming; what consideration the Government have given to this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarAlthough the Department of Trade and Industry has an interest in the proposed directive for a carbon/energy tax, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for taxation matters.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General on 15 January, Official Report, columns 835–36; and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Statement on 16 March, Official Report, columns 182–83.