§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the benefits of a minerals extraction tax. [27390]
§ Mr. RaynsfordTaxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economic and social benefits of extracting minerals have to be set against the costs, in terms of noise, dust, traffic and impacts on amenity, landscape and habitats. My Department is currently conducting research into these costs and benefits to inform the Chancellor's consideration of whether to proceed in principle to develop a minerals extraction tax.