To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Government made of using maximum take-off weight as a basis for the proposed per plane tax which was rejected in November 2008. (313004)

The Government considered the use of maximum take-off weight as part of the consultation to reform air passenger duty in January 2008, available at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/consult_aviation310108.pdf

The Government's response to the consultation, published in November 2008, is available at:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pbr08_aviationduty_395.pdf