§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to introduce a lower levy rate in respect of the aggregates levy for quarries that generate lower environmental costs; [143185]
(2) what plans he has to introduce a lower aggregates levy rate in (a) remote and sparsely populated areas and (b) areas with limited opportunities for recycling secondary aggregates. [143186]
§ Mr. TimmsBudget 2000 announced that the aggregates levy would be introduced from April 2002 at a prudent and cautious rate of £1.60 per tonne to ensure that the price of aggregates extraction better reflects its social and environmental costs. It will be introduced at a uniform rate in order to keep it simple and to give a clear signal to purchasers of primary aggregates to use more sustainable materials. The Quarry Products Association has proposed at some future stage a lower rate of levy for quarries that generate lower environmental costs. Officials will be discussing this proposal with the Association.