HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 cc438-9W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has assessed the impact on the UK brick industry of the climate change levy; and if he will make a statement. [96893]

Mr. Baldry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the climate change levy on the(a) food processing and manufacturing industry, (b) chemical industry and (c) aluminium industry. [96958]

Mr. Timms

It is not possible to say at this stage what the effect of the climate change levy will be on individual industries. That will depend on the final design of the levy, including the rates set for the energy intensive sectors covered by the current negotiations with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Mr. Baldry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons electrolysis of aluminium is to be excluded from the climate change levy. [96965]

Mr. Timms

The exemption for electricity used for electrolysis in certain applications including primary smelting of aluminium, announced by the former Economic Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Ms Hewitt), is designed to mirror the exemption for gas and coal used in chemical reactions.