§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to other European Union countries on the introduction of an aggregates levy broadly comparable with that proposed in the United Kingdom. [16732]
§ Mr. BoatengThe UK co-operates with the other member states in several European forums to discuss tax matters, and it does so with our national commitment to sustainable development very much to the fore. However, the implementation of an aggregates levy in any other member state must be a matter for the elected Government of that state.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on the international competitiveness of the United Kingdom's quarry industry of the introduction of the aggregates levy; [16704]
(2) what assessment he has made of the likely change in the import of (a) aggregate and (b) concrete products as a result of the aggregates levy; [16706]
(3) what assessment he has made of the likely change in the import of concrete products to the United Kingdom from (a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) other countries following the introduction of the aggregates levy. [16703]
§ Mr. BoatengAll imports of aggregate will be subject to the aggregates levy. Exports of aggregate from the UK will not be subject to the levy. This will protect the international competitiveness of the UK's quarrying industry.
There is not expected to be significant impact on the concrete products sector generally because international trade in these products is limited by weight and transport costs. Imports currently represent a very small proportion of total pre-cast concrete industry sales, and these are mainly high value products whose prices would not be significantly affected by the levy.
§ Mr. HeathTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received on the distribution of the sustainability fund derived from the proposed aggregates levy; [15339]
(2) what part will be played by local elected representatives in the distribution of the sustainability fund derived from the proposed aggregates levy. [15341]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
A DEFRA consultation paper on the possible distribution of the aggregates levy sustainability fund in 587W England was published on 2 October 2001. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.
The paper invites views on how local authorities should be involved in the fund.
We expect to receive comments on this issue and the others raised in the consultation paper until the consultation period closes on 27 November.
Copies of the responses will be placed in the DEFRA library and may be published, unless a respondent asks for their response to be treated as confidential. Confidential responses will nevertheless be included in any statistical summary of views expressed.
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