§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the reduction in pesticides use which will be achieved as a result of the Government's proposed pesticides tax. [101831]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government published a consultants' report in March this year on the design of a tax or charge scheme for pesticides which contained estimates of the reduction in pesticide use which might be expected under various assumptions. No decision has been taken yet on whether to proceed with a tax. The current position is set out in the Chancellor's November Pre-Budget Report.