HL Deb 10 April 2002 vol 633 cc93-4WA
Baroness Gale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they intend to implement the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. [HL3689]

Lord Whitty

Last year we consulted on proposals for funding work on minimising the demand for primary aggregates; promoting environmentally friendly aggregates extraction and transport; and reducing the local effects of aggregate extraction through the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. Copies of the consultation document are available in the House of Commons Library.

In response to the consultation we have decided to distribute the fund broadly in line with these proposals. However, we also will support with £800,000 per annum additional work under the category "reducing the local effects of aggregates extraction". This will be a local authority led pilot project run by Leicestershire, Somerset and Derbyshire County Councils—the three areas of greatest aggregates extraction.

To ensure that existing programmes provide additionality, project criteria will state that projects will be additional to activity in existing programmes.