§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if it remains the policy of his Department to meet the targets set by the large combustion plants directive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government are determined to implement in full the EC large combustion plants directive.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the present programme for retrofitting power stations to ensure compliance with emission levels, as determined by the European Community directive on large combustion plants.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government will be assessing the electricity generators' plans for complying with the EC large combustion plants directive. The retrofitting of the 4 GW Drax power station is already under way and further retrofits are in prospect.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what contribution he estimates low-sulphur coal can make to meeting the emission levels set by the European Community directive on large combustion plants; what steps are being taken to protect United Kingdom sources of low-sulphur coal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe burning of low-sulphur coal is an option open to the electricity generators as they prepare their plans to comply with the EC LCPD. The source of such coal will be a matter for the generators. The best protection of the United Kingdom coal industry is for it to produce reliable supplies which are competitive on the world market.