§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure that the burning of fossil fuels is undertaken in such a way as to abate carbon dioxide emissions.
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1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 outturn outturn outturn outturn outturn estimated outturn plans plans plans £ million (Note 1) (Note 2) Selective assistance to individual firms and undertakings — — — -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 Nuclear R & D3 -57.5 -67.4 -52.6 -61.9 — — — Non Nuclear R & D -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.5 Energy Efficiency — — — — — — -0.1 Other central and miscellaneous services -15.8 -19.9 -19.7 -20.6 -24.0 -25.9 -26.2 Total -73.6 -87.5 -72.4 -82.8 -24.3 -26.3 -26.9 -27.2 -28.5
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI am informed that it is generally accepted that the abatement of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) by post combustion processes is not considered to be economically feasible. CO2 abatement can be achieved by switching to fuels which contain less carbon, for example, from coal to natural gas, by using non-fossil fuel energy resources, for example, nuclear, hydroelectricity and other renewable energy technologies and by increased energy efficiency. The Government's commitment to continued diversity of fuel supply, including a sizeable non-fossil fuel component, is helping to control United Kingdom CO2 emissions. My Department is carrying out R and D into renewable energy technologies which should contribute to abatement in the future.