PROMOTION OF BRITAIN'S ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES INDUSTRY

Early day motion 223, tabled 9 July 1997 by Chris McCafferty (Labour). Signed by 176 members.

That this House observes that there are substantial world-wide market opportunities available to British suppliers of environmental technologies and services in a world market worth $400 billion, which bodes well for the future balance of payments and job creation; notes that the international market is currently dominated by Germany, the USA and Japan, whose governments have developed very supportive policies on research and development funding, export promotion, tax incentives and regulation; believes that it is vital that the British Government encourage British environmental technology and service companies to win a substantial share of these new world markets; and therefore urges all relevant Government departments to develop a comprehensive strategy to support the competitiveness of this exciting new industry, having particular regard to the provision of investment incentives to any company purchasing environmental technologies to control their pollution, as such investment incentives would boost investment, create jobs, boost exports by strengthening the home market for British environmental technology companies, and improve air and water quality and public health.

Signatures by party: Labour 128, Liberal Democrat 29, Labour/Co-operative 12, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2, Conservative 1, Unknown 1.