§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has further to encourage the recycling of aggregates(a) by means of the aggregates levy and (b) by other means. [18425]
§ Ruth KellyThe aggregates levy will provide an incentive to use recycled aggregate and alternative materials, as these will be exempted. Levy revenues will also fund a £35 million sustainability fund one of whose objectives will be to encourage recycling objectives of the levy.
Landfill tax on inactive waste also offers an incentive for the recycling of aggregate rather than its disposal in waste sites.
§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the environmental (i) costs and (ii) benefits of the supply of aggregates from coastal super quarries compared to that from other types of quarry. [18426]
§ Ruth KellyThe independent research which underpins the aggregates levy considered all aspects of the environmental impacts of aggregate extraction. The levy will be introduced at a single rate in order to keep it simple and send a clear signal to encourage purchasers of primary aggregate to use alternative materials where possible.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the direct environmental(a) costs and (b) benefits arising from the introduction of the aggregates levy; [17924]
866WI shall be laying a draft re-rating order before Parliament in due course. This will accompany a report by the Government Actuary to myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which we shall jointly present to Parliament.
The table sets out the rates, earnings limits and thresholds for National Insurance Contributions proposed for 2002–03.
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the aggregates levy on the environmental aspects of quarrying which are not dealt with by existing regulatory controls. [17923]
§ Ruth KellyIndependent research shows there are significant environmental costs associated with aggregates extraction that are not already covered by regulation including noise, dust, visual intrusion, loss of amenity and damage to biodiversity.
The aggregates levy will encourage the efficient use of natural aggregates and the greater use of alternative materials, such as recycled aggregate and certain waste materials, thereby reducing the environmental costs of aggregates extraction.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with representatives of the aggregates industry regarding the proposal for a green discount on the introduction of the aggregates tax. [18354]
§ Ruth KellyThe Government have been exploring with interested parties, including the aggregates industry, the options for a differential rate of the aggregates levy for quarries with better environmental performance.