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That paper would have asked some of the important questions, such as what an assessment is, how it should be levied and how much we require. As that is not happening, the debate is being closed down.
However, I believe that insurance remains available there.I do not know the details of the position in Canada, but I recall that it has put in place a system that is based on a levy from the industry to form a war chest against the possibility of outbreaks.
Another priority is to address European regulations that are being introduced, such as the urban waste water directive, the climate change levy—coming from Westminster—and the integrated pollution, prevention and control regulations.
The only reason why we are not allowed to call it a tax is that the Scotland Act 1998 does not allow the Parliament to levy any new taxes. However, an endowment—in new Labour or new coalition speak—is okay.
The other difference is that the funds for the standards commission will be provided by ministers, whereas the Accounts Commission is funded by a levy on the bodies that it audits. Those bodies pay an audit fee, depending on the activity that is undertaken.
I am not sure what point Fergus is making, but is he prepared to rewrite his economic strategy for independence? He included the fuel tax levy in the figures that he used to fight the election.
There will have to be some scrutiny of the levying of fees. As we mentioned, that might depend on the density of the development and the call on resources.
The report states:"The Committee recognised that it had taken no formal evidence on this matter, and that there could be a number of potential difficulties, for example, in seeking to impose an additional levy on businesses which already pay non-domestic rates."