HC Deb 12 March 2004 vol 418 cc1779-81W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations she has conducted with(a) trade associations and (b) the British Ceramic Confederation on the national allocation plan of the Emissions Trading Scheme; and if she will make a statement. [160233]

Mr. Timms

As part of the Government's consultation, DTI and Defra officials have held a series of meetings with trade associations and other interested stakeholders to discuss the UK's draft National Allocation Plan for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. This included a meeting with the British Ceramic Confederation on 27 February 2004.

Mr. Stephen O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from industry on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [158848]

Mr. Timms

We have received numerous representations from companies, trade associations and other business organisations about the Government's proposals for implementing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in the UK.

Mr. Stephen O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the principal guidelines were for the national allocation of emission allowances; and if she will make a statement on the overall transparency of the process. [158849]

Mr. Timms

I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 19 January 2004,Official Report, columns 53–54WS, about the publication of a consultation paper on a draft National Allocation Plan for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) which sets out the Government's proposals for allocating allowances under the scheme.

The Government have conducted two consultations on the UK's draft National Allocation Plan and has involved businesses that will be covered by the EU ETS and other interested stakeholders at every stage of the preparations. Business and interested stakeholders will have a further opportunity to comment before the final allocation decision is taken in October 2004. Information on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme can be found on the DTI and Defra ebsites: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/euets.shtml and www defra.gov.uk/enviromnent/climatechange/trading/eu/index.htm.