§ 2. Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the ability of the United Kingdom to meet its Rio commitments with special reference to emissions from vehicles and power stations. [20937]
§ The Parliamentary Under—Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. James Clappison)The United Kingdom is on course to meet its Rio commitment to return greenhouse gas emissions to their 1990 levels by 2000. The United Kingdom is on course to succeed in reducing projected carbon dioxide emissions by 4 to 8 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2000.
§ Mr. RobathanI welcome that positive response and the progress that the Government have made in that regard. I trust that the Government will bear in mind last year's report by the royal commission on environmental pollution and take account of the issues that it raised.
Does my hon. Friend remember his visit to the village of Enderby in my constituency? It is situated very close to the M1 and the M69 and suffers from vehicle emissions. Scottish Power plans to build a combined cycle gas turbine power station near Enderby. Will my hon. Friend ensure that the Department of the Environment takes careful note of that application and monitors it to ensure that there is no significant increase in environmental pollution in that highly populated area?
§ Mr. ClappisonWe do, of course, welcome the report by the royal commission on environmental pollution. I well remember my visit to Enderby and I assure my hon. Friend that the proposals for a gas plant there will be subject to the stringent requirements of integrated pollution control that will address environmental effects.
§ Mr. BennettIs the Minister aware that the Secretary of State has praised the work of the environmental industries group and the way in which it has demonstrated that trade can be won for this country by offering environmental solutions? Why have the Government backed away from their targets for volatile organic compounds, thereby considerably damaging trade prospects?
§ Mr. ClappisonThe hon. Gentleman is right. Of course we encourage environmentally friendly companies and try to win exports for them. He will be aware of the very important and high standards that we are achieving in emissions, and he might have mentioned the success that we have had in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. We are also taking a lead and working with other developed countries to reduce emissions further.
Our approach is far better than that proposed by the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair), who raised this matter in a recent speech. He totally ignored the international dimension of the problem and the need to 817 give a lead to other countries. Most of what he promised has already been achieved. As for the target that he set, he seemed to think of a number and then double it.
§ Mr. AtkinsDoes my hon. Friend recognise that Conservative Members know only too well what the Government have achieved in environmental protection? Will he also consider pressing the Treasury to do something about reducing the rate for gas-powered vehicles? Sweden and parts of the United States and Canada have already demonstrated how such vehicles can help to control emissions and to keep the environment clean.
§ Mr. ClappisonMy right hon. Friend has played a very distinctive part in the Government's environmental successes, and he will be aware that we have taken a step in the direction that he favours. His point is certainly well made.
§ Mr. Chris DaviesThe Minister will note from the Audit Commission's performance indicators, which were published last week, that the rate of household waste recycling stands at only 4 per cent., and that there was a huge contrast between well performing councils such as Richmond, Adur and Sutton, and badly performing ones such as Oldham and many others. How will the Government meet the targets they have set for themselves of recycling 25 per cent. of household waste by 2000? Surely that goal is now impossible to meet.
§ Mr. ClappisonThe hon. Gentleman should be aware of the ambitious targets that we set in our strategy to make waste work. He will be aware of the incentives that we have put in place for councils to do just that and to promote recycling. The obligation is on councils to meet the targets, which are there for them to achieve. The hon. Gentleman will know of the lead that we have given them.
§ Sir Peter EmeryWill my hon. Friend again consider and consult the police on carrying out prosecutions against owners of vehicles and vehicle fleets that emit massive amounts of exhaust? It is quite wrong for such vehicles to spew out sulphur at those sitting behind them. We should be doing more about that problem.
§ Mr. ClappisonMy right hon. Friend's point is very understandable and fair. He will know of the powers that have been provided to have more spot checks on vehicles. It is very important that vehicle engines should be well tuned to avoid the type of emissions to which he referred.