That this House congratulates the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his November 1997 pre-Budget Statement; welcomes the references in the statement to future proposals for environmental taxes; particularly welcomes the subsequent consultation document on the option for dealing with water pollution; recognises the critical importance of the conservation of natural resources, the minimisation of energy consumption, the reduction of waste, the maintenance of ecological balance and the biodiversity of species; and therefore urges the Chancellor to continue to explore thoroughly all proposals for green taxes in orderto announce measures in the 1998 Spring Budget statement which would help to fulfil the United Kingdom's international obligations with regard to greenhouse gas emissions, improve air and water quality and establish both a more progressive tax system and a more sustainable economy for future generations.

That this House congratulates the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his November 1997 pre-Budget Statement; welcomes the references in the statement to future proposals for environmental taxes; particularly welcomes the subsequent consultation document on the option for dealing with water pollution; recognises the critical importance of the conservation of natural...