§ 89. Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent research he has commissioned into the effects of acid rain on trees.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Department has commissioned extensive studies into the effects of acid deposition and gaseous pollutants on trees, with emphasis on establishing possible mechanisms for damage and methods for early diagnosis of damage. This is part of the ongoing air pollution research programme. Recent results from this programme and from work carried out elsewhere have significantly advanced our knowledge and my Department has therefore set up a sub-group of the United Kingdom terrestrial effects review group specifically to evaluate this new information. The sub-group will report in January 1991.