§ Mr. CawseyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the aggregates levy on the rural economy. [16089]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 19 November 2001]: The rural economy will benefit from the levy funded 0.1 percentage point reduction in employers' national insurance contributions and the new £35 million Sustainability Fund which deliver local environmental benefits to areas subject to the environmental costs of aggregates extraction.
§ Mr. CawseyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assistance he will provide to those whose employment is affected as a result of the aggregates levy. [16090]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 19 November 2001]: The aggregates levy receipts will be returned to business, principally through a 0.1 percentage point reduction in employers' national insurance contributions, which will have a positive effect on employment, as will the £35 million levy funded Sustainability Fund.