Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Laurence Robertson (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 1 November 2011 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

Aggregates Credit Levy Scheme

Question: I support the hon. Member for South Down on this issue. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee looked at it and was startled and worried by this intervention by the European Union. It is unacceptable, at a time when we are doing our utmost to kick-start the economy in Northern Ireland, for the EU to come forward with this measure, and retrospectively at that. I have written to the Secretary of State expressing those views on behalf of the Committee. Will the Minister redouble his efforts? With respect, I do not quite think that it is good enough to say that it is beyond his and the Secretary of State’s powers. We have to go to Europe and say that this is absolutely unacceptable.

Answer: Indeed. My hon. Friend chides me for not getting more involved on this issue. If I could, I would. This matter is now being discussed at a very high level in Europe. Those discussions are being led by Treasury Ministers who are very sympathetic to what it is we are trying to say and do. All I can say is that the matter is being dealt with. It is not being sidelined or neglected; it is taken very seriously by Government, but at a level that is different from that of the Secretary of State and myself, if I can put it like that.

Secondary information