§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an interim statement on the research projects undertaken with the help of public funds by the Royal Society of Arts on the problems of acid rain.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI am not aware of any publicly funded research on this subject being undertaken by the Royal Society of Arts.
The Royal Society, however, is taking part in a 5-year collaborative programme of research into the acidification of freshwaters with the Norwegian and Swedish Academies, which has been funded by the Central Electricity Generating Board and the National Coal Board. This programme is a matter for the Royal Society and the two boards.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost to Her Majesty's Government of signing the international declaration calling for a 30 per cent. reduction in acidic emissions by 1993.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThere is considerable uncertainty about the future pattern of emissions from the United Kingdom, and in order to be certain of meeting this target it would be necessary to install flue gas desulphurisation equipment at two major power stations, at a capital cost of some £300 million. The cost would be borne by electricity consumers.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he is taking to evaluate the effect of acid emissions from Irish power stations on the environment in Cumbria and central Wales;
(2) if he will raise with the Republic of Ireland the problems caused to the environment of Great Britain by acid emissions from Irish power stations.
§ Mr. WaldegraveEstimates by the Department of Trade and Industry's Warren Spring laboratory indicate that acid emissions from Irish power stations are responsible for a negligible proportion of total deposition 65W in Cumbria and central Wales. My right hon. Friend does not consider that emissions from Irish power stations are causing significant environmental problems in Great Britain and he does not consider it necessary to raise the matter with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now sign the international declaration supporting a 30 per cent. reduction in acid rain emissions.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNo.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the recent discussions with the Norwegian Minister of Environment on the subject of acid rain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe discussions with the Norwegian Environment Minister, Mrs. Surlien, during her recent visit to the United Kingdom were helpful in improving mutual understanding of the two Governments' positions in this matter. The need for further reductions in SO2 emissions is common ground, but differences remain about the rate at which they may be achieved.