But Sallie James, a trade policy analyst at the Cato Institute here, says the labor standards are largely a symbolic issue for Democrats and will not leveltheplayingfield, as some claim.
These standards were called for by the Clean Air Act Amendments more than 20 years ago and leveltheplayingfield for the many utilities that have already invested in modern mercury pollution control technologies.
The minister emphasised the importance of improving numeracy and literacy standards at primary schools so pupils are on a levelplayingfield when they reach secondary school.