HC Deb 18 July 1997 vol 298 cc375-6W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his assessment of the environmental impact of tax and spending charges outlined in his Budget. [8347]

Dawn Primarolo

It is estimated that the net effect of the increase in the road fuel duty escalator from 5 to 6 per cent. (assuming this is applied for the life of this Parliament), the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel and power, and abolition of the gas levy will be to reduce carbon emissions by 2010 by around 2 million tonnes annually. A number of other tax changes—including the reduction in VED for low emission buses, and the freeze in road fuel gas duty—will also reduce emissions, but effects will be dependent on take up. The Environmental Task Force, set up as part of the New Deal for the unemployed, will help in meeting the Government's target for heat conservation and efficiency, and thus will also help in reducing emissions.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the Green Book on the environmental implications of the Budget. [8674]

Dawn Primarolo

There are no plans to publish such a "Green Book" for the recent Budget which was not a full Budget. Information on the environmental implications of the Budget is contained in the Financial Statement and Budget Report—the "Red Book"—and in further press notices issued on Budget day.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those proposals in the Budget which may lead to(a) a reduction and (b) an increase in carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom; if he will estimate by how much carbon dioxide emissions will change in each case; and if he will make a statement. [8636]

Dawn Primarolo

It is estimated that the increase in the commitment to increase road fuel duties from an average of at least 5 per cent. a year in real terms to 6 per cent., will—if maintained for the life of this Parliament—produce additional savings, by the year 2010, of around 21/2 million tonnes carbon annually; the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel and power will increase emissions in 2010 by around 0.24 million tonnes carbon; the cut in the gas levy will have a minimal effect.