Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 1 February 2006 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: But will the Prime Minister look at the case of the laboratories? The Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for South Dorset (Jim Knight), said in a letter:"““The . . . closure . . . does not make sense, either scientifically or economically, whether considered at a national or a local level.””" Is he right?

Answer: There is a debate, because of the Research Councils UK decision—[Interruption.] It has taken the decision to close the laboratories, and there is of course a debate about whether that is right or not. The basic point about the Government's climate change policy is that we will retain the renewables target and reduce CO2emissions in the specified time. However, there is no point in the right hon. Gentleman raising these issues while he remains opposed to the climate change levy. That levy is the only sure way to secure the reductions in CO2emissions that we want. I therefore hope that he will change his position on the levy.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 442 c312
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Closures Air pollution Climate change Carbon dioxide Environment protection Pollution control Laboratories
Link: View this Prime Minister's question on www.publications.parliament.uk