§ Mr. Geoffrey RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations have been made to his Department about the Homefire plant in Coventry by local residents and Coventry city council; and what response has been made;
(2) whether he will visit the Homefire plant in Coventry to discuss pollution and its regulation.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Homefire plant at Coventry is regulated by HM inspectorate of pollution and is regularly visited by one of its inspectors. I therefore have no plans to visit the plant.
The inspectorate is aware that emissions from the plant are a problem and has issued an improvement notice requiring improvements to be made by 30 June 1991.
A number of representations have been received, in particular that from Coventry city council on HMIP's recent extension to June 1991 of the deadline for compliance with the improvement notice. Detailed replies have been given, for example on the need to use equipment not readily available as off-the-shelf units and on the impact of a decision to abandon a proposal to utilise the chosen abatement system for electricity generation following changes in the electricity industry.
§ Mr. Geoffrey RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an internal inquiry into the handling of the case of the Homefire plant, Coventry by the Central Pollution Agency.
§ Mr. TrippierNo.