§ Mr. Franksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to co-operate with other countries and international organisations to reduce the levels of acid deposition.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Government take a full part in the evolution of European Community policy on the control of air pollution, including acid deposition. We were able to agree with our Community partners at the Environment Council on 1 March on the provisions of a new directive on the control of emissions from industrial plants, and we are currently considering a further draft directive on emissions from major combustion installations. More widely, the United Kingdom is actively involved in the work of the United Nations Economic 611W Commission for Europe convention on long range transboundary air pollution, where the current emphasis is on research and monitoring aimed at the development of policies to limit, and as far as possible, gradually reduce such pollution.
§ Mr. Franksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 13 February, Official Report, column 54, regarding acid deposition, if he will seek to obtain further data to enable him to report accurately on the levels of acid deposition in the county of Cumbria.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Government have accepted the need, identified by the acid rain review group in its recent report, for more accurate information on acid deposition in the United Kingdom especially in mountainous, high rainfall areas such as in Cumbria. Work is now in progress to determine and establish a revised network of monitoring stations to provide a more complete picture. This should enable the extent of acid deposition both in Cumbria and in other areas to be better assessed.