§ Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact of the construction of de-sulphurisation plants at power stations on the demand for limestone from quarries in national parks.
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§ Mr. TrippierNo assessment has been made of the demand for limestone from quarries in national parks arising specifically out of the the CEGB's flue gas de-sulphurisation programme, although my Department has commissioned a research project into high purity limestone resources and the demand for non aggregate uses. The report will be published at the beginning of next year.
The CEGB has indicated that the complete 12 GW retrofit programme would account for less than 2 million tonnes of limestone per year (less than 2 per cent. of current production). The board also announced in August 1987 that it would not take limestone from quarries in national parks for the three existing power stations selected for retro-fitting with the flue gas de-sulphurisation process. The board went on to state that it hoped to follow a similar policy when obtaining limestone for new stations. That assessment was made in the knowledge of the Government's policy on mineral working in national parks set out in the statement by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West on 9 April 1987 (HC 393/394). I understand that the board's policy towards limestone supply has not changed since their August 1987 announcement.