HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 cc91-2W
28. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department is currently taking to reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

Reductions in nitrogen oxides will follow from our agreement to the European Communities large combustion plant directive. No specific steps have been taken, or are planned, to limit emissions of carbon dioxide from power stations. However, the Government's commitment to continued diversity of fuel supply, including a sizeable non fossil fuel component, will help to limit such emissions.

30. Mr. Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about progress towards the completion of the energy market in the European Community in 1992.

Mr. Parkinson

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Energy, described in his reply of 20 June 1988, at column 411 to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville) the inability of the Energy Council to agree conclusions at its meeting on 9 June on the Commission's paper on obstacles to the completion of the internal energy market. Officials of member states are now examining the Commission's inventory of obstacles to verify that it is complete and accurate.

The Commission intends to submit specific proposals to the Energy Council on transparency of energy prices, during the second half of 1988 and on energy infrastructures before the end of 1989.I understand that it also expects to submit proposals on the electricity market by the end of June next year. It will draw up by the end of next year a further report on developments in this field.