§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what account he has taken of the(a) remoteness and (b) sparse population in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland when calculating the fixed rate of the proposed aggregates tax; and if he will make a statement; [142967]
(2) what account he has taken of (a) the lower environmental impact of quarries and (b) the difficulties of recycling aggregates in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland when calculating the fixed rate of the proposed aggregates tax; and if he will make a statement. [142965]
§ Mr. TimmsThe aggregates levy is based on independent research commissioned by the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which has verified that there are significant environmental costs associated with quarrying that are not already covered by regulation, including noise, dust, visual intrusion, loss of amenity and damage to biodiversity. The research looked at sites in both densely populated areas and in remote and sparsely populated areas.
87W
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the social and economic impact of the proposed aggregates tax on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [142966]
§ Mr. TimmsThe aggregates levy will bring about benefits by making the price of aggregates better reflect88W their true environmental costs. This will provide an incentive for all business to use more sustainable materials and to use all aggregates more efficiently. A proportion of the proceeds from the levy will be available in a Sustainability Fund to help the Scottish Executive deliver local environmental benefits. The remaining proceeds will fund a cut in employer NICs which will deliver economic benefits nationwide.