§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department undertook to ascertain the effects of the aggregates tax on the(a)rate proposed in the UK and (b)rates levied in other European Union countries. [48167]
254W
§ Mr. BoatengThe independent research which underpins the aggregates levy considered all aspects of the environmental damage caused by aggregate extraction. These environmental costs are reflected in the levy's rate of £1.60 per tonne.
Aggregate taxes in other EU member states are a matter for the individual states themselves.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department undertook to ascertain the effects of the aggregates tax on(a)individual quarries in parts of the UK, (b)local government finance and (c)employment in the construction industry. [48050]
§ Mr. BoatengA Regulatory Impact Assessment for the aggregates levy was published at the time of Budget 2000. It is available from the Customs and Excise website.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the(a)Scottish Executive and (b)Welsh Assembly on the subject of the aggregates levy. [48036]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Government has received a large number of representations regarding the aggregates levy, and has held discussions regarding its implementation with a wide range of organisations both within and outside of Government.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total amount that will be received from Scotland in each of the next five years from the aggregates levy at the proposed rate. [48037]
§ Mr. BoatengNo such estimate has been made.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of the aggregates levy on the implementation of public sector infrastructure projects. [46705]
§ Mr. BoatengI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 10 December 2001,Official Report,column 687W.