GOVERNMENT'S APPLICATION TO INCREASE CARBON EMISSIONS

Early day motion 1839, tabled 27 October 2004 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 38 members.

That this House condemns the decision of the Government, announced first to journalists and pressure groups and only subsequently to the House, and then in a written rather than oral statement to apply to the European Union to increase by almost three per cent. the UK's permitted carbon emissions under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; sympathises with the Environment Secretary whose wishes to hold the line were overruled by the Prime Minister; notes that the only interventions by the Prime Minister on environmental matters, notwithstanding the promise held out by his speeches, are when he seeks to weaken environmental protection; and suggests that he will find it difficult to achieve his stated aim of persuading other countries in the EU and G8 to take the fight against climate change seriously if he fails to do so himself.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 28, Plaid Cymru 4, Labour 2, Scottish National Party 2, DUP 1, UUP 1.