§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to the introduction of a carbon tax on polluting industries. [1168]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy right hon. Friends have frequent discussions on matters of common interest, which from time to time include the question of a carbon tax.
The United Kingdom is committed under the framework convention of climate change to return emissions of all greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2000. We do not need a carbon tax to meet this commitment as, for carbon dioxide, we are on course to achieve reductions of 4 to 8 per cent. below 1990 emission levels.
This rate of progress puts us at the forefront of international efforts to combat climate change and demonstrates once again the Government's determination to deliver on their environmental commitments.