HC Deb 26 July 1990 vol 177 cc386-7W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been undertaken by his Department into the use of lichen to assess the extent of air pollution.

Mr. Trippier

My Department is currently commissioning a review of the use of lichens as one possible method of assessing the extent of air pollution in the United Kingdom. The results of this research will be published in due course.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the deadline for compliance set by the European Community's directive on sulphur dioxide emissions from large construction plants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

The deadline for achieving a 60 per cent. reduction on 1980 levels of sulphur dioxide emission levels from existing large combustion plants in the United Kingdom is 2003.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what projects are currently funded by his Department to study air pollution.

Mr. Trippier

My Department's research programme on air pollution currently funds over 40 projects. This programme is reviewed in the Department of the Environment report on research and development 1986–88. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. This review contains a full list of research reports and papers produced and is currently being updated.