§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the imposition of taxes on fertilisers. [33738]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 10 March 1998]: The Government issued a discussion paper 'Economics Instruments for Water Pollution' in November 1997. This included consideration of some possible uses of economic instruments to help reduce the environmental impact of nutrients, including a charge on chemical fertilisers. We are currently considering the responses to the paper.