§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reached any conclusions on the proposal for a tax to make the polluter pay, contained in the Pearce report; if he will make it his policy to include noise pollution from airports as the basis for such a tax, as recommended in the report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Government's policy already reflects the principle of making the polluter pay. Thus he incurs the full cost, without subsidy, of meeting current environmental protection regulations. "Noise taxes" have been proposed as minor policy instruments by Professor Pearce and others, but the Government have no plans to implement such a tax.