Clean Coal Technologies (Hansard, 20 July 2001)

§ Jeff Ennis
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the development of clean coal technologies in assisting the Government in achieving its Kyoto environmental targets. [5546]

§ Mr. Wilson
In the October 1998 White Paper "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation", the Government stated that cleaner coal technology had a major role to play in sustainability world wide. The paper supported the continuation of a research programme into cleaner coal technology and recommended that a review of the case for a demonstration plant be undertaken before 2003. I announced this review on 25 June 2001, which will include consideration of the environmental benefits of such plant and the contribution it can make towards meeting our Kyoto targets.
596W

§ Jeff Ennis
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives are provided by her Department to assist in the development of clean coal technologies; and if she is intending to review the existing arrangements. [5545]

§ Mr. Wilson
The Government's policy on cleaner coal technologies was set out in Energy Paper 67: "Cleaner Coal Technologies—Future Plans for research, development, and export promotion", published in April 1999, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House and on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk/ent/coal. Activities in the six-year programme include a portfolio of research and development activities in collaboration with UK industry and universities. The DTI website is used to help promote UK capability in this area as well as providing up-to-date information on developments in the DTI programme.
As I announced on 25 June 2001, Official Report, columns 28–29W, the Government are currently undertaking a study to determine the case for supporting a cleaner coal technology demonstration plant. The Review will be examining the case for Government support for the development of demonstration plant(s). We expect to publish the consultation document on this issue imminently.