HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc542-3W
Mr. Neil Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will act upon the recommendation made in the report of the working group on the water transport industry with regard to an early introduction to the statutory ports of conventional assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The Government recognise the desirability of providing a common basis for the rating assessment of all parts of the ports industry, and indeed for other industries. We hope to return, so far as practicable, all the formula rated industries to conventional assessment at the 1995 revaluation.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tonnes of sulphur dioxide have been released into the atmosphere of the United Kingdom in 1987, 1988 and 1989(a) by electricity generating stations and (b) by petrol and diesel-driven road vehicles.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Estimated sulphur dioxide emissions from selected sources in 1987 were as follows:

1987
Power stations 2.830
Power driven road vehicles 0.009
Diesel driven road vehicles 0.037
All sources 3.867

In 1987 almost 3.9 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide were emitted in the United Kingdom. Approximately 2.8 million tonnes came from power stations and less than 50,000 tonnes came from motor vehicles. Figures for 1988 are currently being prepared and will be published in the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics early next year. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

Forward to