§ 12. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the net effect on local employment in Pembrokeshire if orimulsion is used as proposed in the production of power.[25643]
§ Mr. RichardsNone.
§ Mr. HughesWell, I suggest that the Minister should. Will he reflect on the fact that, if the current plans for an orimulsion plant in Pembrokeshire—which I understand are waiting for one final authorisation—go ahead, although the prospect is presented as advantageous because it may produce a few jobs, there is a wide general view that the disadvantages environmentally and in terms of tourism of that beautiful part of south-west Wales having at its heart an orimulsion plant will grossly outweigh any short-term small employment advantages? Will the Minister undertake to carry out a full proper employment and environmental assessment on the economy of Pembrokeshire?
§ Mr. RichardsThe application for consent to burn orimulsion at the Pembroke power station is still under consideration by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. Until my right hon. Friend has received the views of all the regulatory authorities, no decisions will be made, including whether there is a need for a public inquiry.
§ Mr. RogersSurely everyone recognises that orimulsion is one of the dirtiest fuels that is available for combustion in power stations and contains an enormous amount of heavy metal toxic material compared with other fuels. In view of the recent disaster that has halved the income of the people of Pembrokeshire from tourism—reducing it by some £100 million—what 763 proposals do the Government have to compensate people for that loss? What proposals do they have to cut the pollution caused by the burning of that dirty fuel?
§ Mr. RichardsMy understanding is that the hon. Gentleman was referring to the Sea Empress disaster, in which case I cannot possibly comment until the report of the marine accident investigation branch is published.
§ Mr. DafisMay I emphasise that, unlike the Labour party in Pembrokeshire, my party supports the demand for a full public inquiry into the orimulsion application? As well as urging the President of the Board of Trade to set up a public inquiry, the Welsh Office should consider what longer-term employment opportunities might be created in Pembrokeshire through a proper energy conservation programme. Is not that the way ahead? What is the Welsh Office doing to ensure that the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 is implemented in Wales as soon as possible so that the jobs can be created and environmental gains made?
§ Mr. RichardsAs I said a moment ago, the decision on a public inquiry will not be made until all the facts are available. With regard to jobs in that part of the world, the hon. Gentleman knows that I and my right hon. and hon. Friends have taken a close interest in the west Wales task force which, I believe, was set up by my right hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, West (Mr. Hunt). We are conscious of the particular economic problems of the area and are doing our utmost to attract new investment.