§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to limit acid rain deposition in Wales; and whether he is taking any special measures to limit acid deposition in the Snowdonia national park.
§ Mr. GristLimitation of acid deposition over Wales is dependent upon the reduction of emissions throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. The United Kingdom is party to a European Community directive which commits us to significant reductions in emissions from large combustion plants and sets stringent standards for emissions from new plans. Compliance will entail a substantial effort over and above the existing £1 billion programme by the Central Electricity Generating Board to392W retrofit 6,000 megawatts of generating capacity with flue gas desulphurisation, and all 12 major coal-fired power stations with low nitrogen oxide burners.
We are also introducing more stringent standards for car exhaust emissions following agreement on a European Community directive in December 1987 and the meeting of Environment Ministers in November this year.
These measures will affect deposition in all parts of Wales including the Snowdonia national park.