§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his announced proposals for tax on products which damage the environment will include polluted drinking water and waters which adversely affect wild-life.
§ Mr. HowardCareful consideration including consultation documents on particular cost recovery charging systems, is being given to the possible use of charges of various kinds to improve the efficiency of our environmental protection policies. Proposals for specifying charges have not so far been developed, but the philosophy underlying their use has been set out in the report produced by Professor Pearce of London university and my officials are currently reviewing the use of charges and other instruments in a number of other industrialised countries.