HC Deb 21 March 1990 vol 169 cc679-80W
Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what current proposals there are to achieve compliance with its European Community commitment to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. of their 1980 value by 1993.

Mr. Chris Patten

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 19 February at column481.

Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the contribution to be made from(a) the import of low-sulphur coal, (b) the import of French-generated electricity and (c) an increase in domestic nuclear electricity generation towards achieving the target reduction in sulphur dioxide from 1980 levels by 1993.

Mr. Chris Patten

A formal plan for reducing SO2, and NOx emissions from existing large combustion plants will be issued later this year.