HC Deb 02 February 1998 vol 305 c478W
Mr. Bill O'Brien

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the reduction proposed for the fossil fuel levy. [24964]

Mr. Battle

The setting of the rate of the fossil fuel levy is a matter for the Levy Collector. On 19 December the Levy Collector announced that the rate of the fossil fuel levy for the year beginning 1 April 1998 would be 0.9 per cent.

Mr. Bill O'Brien

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on what parts of the electricity generating industry the fossil fuel levy will apply; and how much will be realised with the new formulas for the fossil fuel levy. [24967]

Mr. Battle

The Fossil Fuel Levy Bill, now before the House, would result in electricity supplied from nuclear and fossil fuel sources being subject to the fossil fuel levy as well as electricity produced under Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation arrangements. The Levy Collector estimates that the levy will need to realise £119 million in 1998–99.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to announce the rate and incidence of the non-fossil fuel levy. [24404]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: On 19 December the Levy Collector announced that the rate of the fossil fuel levy for the year beginning 1 April 1998 would be 0.9 per cent. This is pursuant to my previous answer on 24 November 1997, Official Report, column 417, and my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry's answer to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon), on 24 November 1997, Official Report, column 417.