HC Deb 01 March 2004 vol 418 cc651-2W
Paddy Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new analysis her Department has conducted as to the impact of the proposed national emission reduction plan for implementation of the large combustion plants directive on indigenous coal production industry. [155898]

Mr. Timms

We are continuing to assess the potential economic impact of the introduction of the directive on the UK coal industry, and on the coal-fired electricity generating industry which is its major market, using both internal analyses and independent research. The aim of this analysis will be to understand the probable available market for indigenous coal under both implementation options and to form an understanding of the likelihood that UK coal producers will be able to fully exploit this available market.

Paddy Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions her Department has had with the indigenous coal production industry on the implementation of the large combustion plants directive. [155899]

Mr. Timms

Officials from both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are in continuing dialogue with the UK coal industry regarding the implementation of the large combustion plants directive. In addition, my noble Friend Lord Whitty, the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I met representatives from the UK coal industry and the electricity generating industry, which is its major market, on 9 February to discuss their key concerns.