§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the basis was of her decision to recommend to the European Commission on 27 November a national plan rather than an emissions limit value approach on the Large Combustion Plant Directive. [141322]
§ Mr. Bradshaw[holding answer 4 December 2003]The Government's decision to submit a national plan to the Commission was in order to keep the option open. The Directive requires that any national plan is submitted to the European Commission by 27 November 2003. The Government considers that further analysis is required before taking a decision which implementation approach it is in the UK's interest to adopt. The UK can withdraw the plan if further analysis suggests that the emission limits approach is in the UK's best interest. A decision on whether to withdraw the national plan would be taken before spring 2004.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the two options under the Large Combustion Plant Directive other European countries have opted for; what discussions she has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on the option that fits most constructively with their energy policy; and what inquiries she has undertaken to determine the effects of implementing a national plan approach on UK energy jobs during the period in which further analysis on the two approaches is completed. [141324]
§ Mr. Bradshaw[holding answer 4 December 2003]In addition to the UK, Ireland have submitted a national plan to the European Commission, and that several other Member States are likely to submit national plans.
Government decisions on implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) were reached following extensive contacts with all Departments having an interest in the issue. Both approaches are compatible with the Government's energy policy, but this is an area where we expect to undertake more analysis; for example, on issues surrounding security of supply.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the sensitivities associated with each option under the Large Combustion Plant Directive referred to in the press statement her Department issued on 27 November are; and if she will make a statement. [141325]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Government have decided to look further into whether there is a different impact on the coal industry resulting from the emission limits approach to that from the national plan approach method of implementing the revised Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) for plants first licensed before July 1987. In addition there is a possible direct sensitivity to other policies, for example in connection with the UK's implementation of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, and the effect of the decision on the security of energy supplies.