HC Deb 16 December 1997 vol 303 cc114-5
4. Mr. Brake

If he will make a statement on the outcome of the climate change conference in Kyoto. [19396]

8. Mr. Bayley

If he will make a statement about Government policy on climate change. [19402]

Mr. Prescott

The Government are committed to tackling the threat of climate change, and the role that we played in securing a deal in Kyoto demonstrated that to the world. I shall make a statement to the House on the outcome of the Kyoto conference after these questions.

Mr. Brake

I welcome the fact that a statement will be made later today. However, will the Deputy Prime Minister explain how the appointment of Keith Taylor of Esso—who is on record as being extremely dismissive about global warming—to the Government's cleaner vehicles task force will help the Government achieve their 20 per cent. reduction target?

Mr. Prescott

I do not know enough about the individual referred to, but, before the Kyoto conference, we met business men at a summit at No. 10, and they made it absolutely clear that they supported the Government's objectives, wanted to talk to us after the Kyoto agreement, and believed that, if the Government could provide leadership, they would be prepared to follow a practical policy. That is precisely what we are doing and together we shall achieve the objectives that we agreed in Kyoto.

Mr. Bayley

I pay tribute to the Deputy Prime Minister's shuttle diplomacy, without which there would have been no agreement whatever at the Kyoto conference. Does my right hon. Friend agree that rich countries such as Britain face a simple choice: pay now to cut greenhouse gas emissions; or pay later to clear up the mess of flooding in coastal areas and crop failures? Will he give the House a clear assurance that, even though other countries have not signed up to our ambitious target of a 20 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the Labour Government will stick to that target?

Mr. Prescott

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's kind remarks. I shall wait for the statement to give the details to the House, but let me just say that it is not all about pain; it is about gain, making things an awful lot more efficient and making people's quality of life much better. My hon. Friend must bear in mind the fact that the developed countries produce more than 50 per cent. of greenhouse gases, and Kyoto was about making the first down payment on their contribution. It was a successful formula.

Sir Sydney Chapman

I recognise and welcome the Government's commitment to cut emissions by 20 per cent., based on 1990 figures, by 2010. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that he should come clean in another sense and tell the House precisely what additional measures he will take to ensure that that objective is reached? If he cannot do that now, will he mention it in his statement?

Mr. Prescott

Yes, I shall refer to the matter in the statement later.