§ 32. Annabelle EwingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the aggregates producers and construction industries in(a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK on the implementation of the aggregates levy. [27584]
§ Mr. BoatengA number of discussions have recently been held at both ministerial and official level with representatives of the aggregates industries throughout the UK, including Scotland, about the implementation of the aggregates levy.
984W
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of(a) the benefit of the proposed reduction in national insurance contributions as a result of the introduction of the aggregates levy in Scotland and (b) the yield of the levy. [29361]
§ Mr. BoatengThe reduction in employers' national insurance contributions associated with the introduction of the aggregates levy, along with the new sustainability fund, is designed to ensure that the aggregates levy does not result in an increased burden to business as a whole. The expected yield from the aggregates levy was published in November 2001 in the pre-Budget report.