§ 1995. Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes in the volume of United Kingdom sulphur emissions he estimates will take place between 1985 and (a) 1993, (b)
§ Mrs. RumboldIn 1984 total United Kingdom emissions of sulphur dioxide were 3.5 million tonnes. The Department of Energy estimates that, depending on the assumptions made, total emissions will be in the range of 3.4 million to 4.2 million tonnes in 1990 and 3.1 million to 4.5 million tonnes in 2000. There are no estimates for 1993 and 1995.
These estimates for 1990 and 2000 have been made on the basis of Department of Energy projections of long-term energy demand, prepared for and submitted to the Sizewell public inquiry in 1982. These projections are, by their very nature, subject to great uncertainty. They include alternative assumptions about the level of world economic activity, international fuel prices and the growth and structure of the United Kingdom economy. They therefore cover a range of scenarios which, in turn, produce a range of emission estimates.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give figures for the percentage of United Kingdom emissions of sulphur estimated to have been deposited in (a) Sweden and (b) Norway, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, on the basis of depositions from all sources, and from sources of known origin, respectively.
§ Mrs. RumboldIt is estimated that in 1980 United Kingdom sulphur emissions gave rise to 6.1 per cent. of total deposition and 8.5 per cent. of deposition from known sources, in Sweden; and to 9.8 per cent. of total deposition and 17.4 per cent. of deposition from known sources, in Norway. It is also estimated that about 2 to 3 per cent. of United Kingdom emissions fell on Sweden and a similar percentage on Norway.
Directly comparable figures for other years are not available but I am obtaining estimates and will write to the hon. Member.