§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research is being conducted by his Department into the effects on trees of sulphur emission from power stations.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 17 June 1988]: Detains of all projects in the Department's air pollution research programme are contained in the compilation of Project Information Sheets. I have arranged for copies of the latest compilation to be placed in the Library of the House. Several projects are investigating ways in which sulphur oxides and their derivatives, in combination with other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and ozone, and with natural stresses such as drought and cold, may affect trees. Most of these projects will be reporting at the end of this year or in 1989. Research organisations involved include the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, the universities of Lancaster, Newcastle upon Tyne, Aberdeen and Imperial college London, and the Forestry Commission, are continuing work begun at the university of Ulster.