§ Mr. HallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration the Government have given to supporting the European Commission request that the deadline for the 50 per cent. reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions should be the year 2000.
§ Mr. MacleanI am not aware of such a request, but the Government are already committed through the national plan to a 52 per cent. reduction, from 1980 levels, in SO2 emissions from existing large combustion plant by the year 2000.
§ Mr. HallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to reduce emissions and conform to the 50 per cent. reductions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen laid down by the European Commission.
§ Mr. MacleanThe United Kingdom is committed to meeting current EC legislation on reductions of SO2 and NOx.