Large Combustion Plants Directive

HC Deb 16 September 2003 vol 410 cc646-7W

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the expected impact on the UK coal industry of the Large Combustion Plants Directive. [129945]

Mr. Timms

The Government are currently consulting on options before taking the decision on how to implement the Large Combustion Plants Directive for plants first licensed before July 1987. Officials have discussed the potential impact of the alternative implementation routes with representatives of the UK coal industry, who are also expected to respond formally to the consultation paper. Consultation closes on 29 September. The Government will take a decision on the most appropriate implementation approach only after considering all of the responses received by this data.