HC Deb 06 November 1997 vol 300 c260W
Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for taxes on opencast coal mining, gravel extraction and limestone quarries in accordance with the polluter pays principle; and how these would be administered. [14282]

Dawn Primarolo

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his July Budget, work is being carried out on the environmental costs attached to quarrying. The results will inform consideration of whether there is a case for tax or other measures to ensure that these costs are reflected in prices.