HL Deb 16 June 1997 vol 580 cc101-2WA
Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of annual revenue from the landfill tax after 1997.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)

The annual revenue from landfill tax after 1997 is estimated at £450 million.

Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What revenue has accumulated from the landfill tax since its introduction in October 1996.

Lord Simon of Highbury

To 31 May 1997, just under £200 million.

Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By how much financial projects conducted by approved environment bodies have been assisted so far by the landfill tax scheme and whether this scheme will be continued.

Lord Simon of Highbury

ENTRUST, the scheme's regulator, has been notified by the environmental bodies of receipts of contributions under the scheme totalling some £1.5 million to date. The Government have no plans to discontinue the scheme.

Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have considered to what uses landfill tax rebates might be put and whether they will make an announcement on this subject.

Lord Simon of Highbury

The categories of "approved objects", contributions to the furtherance of which may qualify for credits of landfill tax, are laid out in Regulation 33 of the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996. The choice of which projects or bodies to support is a matter for those landfill site operators who make contributions. Providing it qualifies, the Government will refund 90 per cent. of any contribution as a landfill tax credit, up to a maximum of 20 per cent. of the contributor's annual landfill tax liability.