§ Mr. GouldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken so far to adhere to the Noordwijk conference declaration to stabilise United Kingdom carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2000.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThat declaration required the basis for stabilisation to be considered in the light of the IPCC report and the second world climate conference later this year. In the meantime, the Government has continued to finance the work of the scientific working group of the IPCC; offered to host an international technical workshop to explore the practical issues which would arise in making binding agreements on green house gas emissions; and is considering proposals for action both domestically and through the European Community, as appropriate.