BLAIR WRONG ABOUT ANNUAL TARGETS - HUHNE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Feb 2007

Responding to the Prime Minister's comments to the Liaison Committee that annual emission targets would be "impractical", Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"Annual targets are only impractical for ministers who do not want to be assessed during their term of office. The Government just wants a NIMTO - Not In My Term of Office - target.

"An independent carbon commission would have to have an annual benchmark if it is to make annual reports, so why not make that target explicit?

"Any target can easily be adjusted to take account of weather and the business cycle."