§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, which other countries will have to agree to stabilise their CO2 emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000 before the United Kingdom adopts this target; and what will be the latest date by which these countries will have to indicate their assent for the United Kingdom to take the measures necessary to achieve this emissions target.
§ Mr. MacleanThe climate change convention agreed in New York on 9 May will commit developed countries to take measures aimed at returning emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal protocol to their 1990 levels by the year 2000. We have always said that this global problem needs a global response, and we continue to place importance on the willingness of other countries, including our major competitors, to accept the commitments set out in the convention. We expect to be able to ratify the convention, alongside these countries, in good time to take the necessary measures.