§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what studies he has made of the effect of a pollution tax on(a) fossil fuels and (b) fossil fuels used to supplement electricity generation under the non-fossil fuel obligations.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Government's policy on the use of economic instruments for environmental protection is set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance". In the long term, action to control emissions will inevitably have to include increases, achieved by taxation or other means, in the relative price of energy. However, the White Paper made clear the Government's intention not to introduce any such measures in the next few years outside the transport sector. Analytical work continues in support of this policy.