§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses were received to her Department's consultation on the distribution of aggregates levy sustainability fund; and when she will publish a response. [30354]
§ Mr. MeacherThe aggregates levy sustainability fund is a new fund with the aim of addressing the environmental effects associated with aggregates extraction.
DEFRA published in October 2001 a consultation paper on the possible distribution of the aggregates levy sustainability fund in England.
The consultation paper proposed to support work under three main objectives:
- Minimising the demand for primary aggregates
- Promoting environmentally friendly extraction and transport
- Reducing the effect of local aggregate extraction.
The consultation period closed on 27 November 2001. A copy of the consultation document is available in the House of Commons Library 474 organisations were consulted. The consultation generated a total of 120 responses, 87 of which were received by 27 November. Following is a table of responses by sector.
Responses by sector Number of respondents Percentage Local authorities 54 45 Waste management companies 2 1.7 Environmental bodies 21 17.5 Countryside and rural bodies 8 6.7 Minerals trade associations and operators 10 8.3 Individuals 3 2.5 Other interested parties 22 18.3 Total 120 100 We are currently reflecting on all the issues raised by the consultation and will decide on the final shape and distribution of the fund shortly.