§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors were taken into account in considering the relative value to the environment of the introduction of the proposed aggregates tax and the rejection of the Quarry Products Association's New Deal package of voluntary measures. [132264]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government held discussions with the Quarry Products Association regarding its proposed package of voluntary measures for a number of months, but at the time of the Budget, no viable package was on offer. In particular, the QPA attached conditions relating to Government procurement which were considered to be inconsistent with EU procurement law and would have had potential negative implications for competition within the industry.
The levy will achieve environmental benefits by making the price of aggregates reflect the environmental costs of quarrying and by encouraging the use of recycled aggregates.