HC Deb 18 July 1979 vol 970 cc1756-8
6. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has to encourage more economical fuel consumption by motor vehicles of all classes using the public roads of the United Kingdom.

24. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to encourage fuel economy in the transport industry.

Mr. Fowler

The Government are considering a number of measures to reinforce the effect on fuel consumption which will inevitably result from the rise in fuel prices. I am considering measures to reduce the present restrictions on car sharing.

The Government have also recently reached agreement with motor manufacturers on a scheme to reduce the petrol consumption of new cars by 10 per cent. over the next five years.

Mr. Price

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that, whatever may be the short-term improvement in petrol supplies, we have a long-term problem? Will he therefore use his offices to encourage new methods of propulsion in motor vehicles? I have especially in mind the electric car, the chemical fuel cell and a number of other methods that have been around for some time that can now make an important contribution to energy saving on our roads.

Mr. Fowler

I totally agree with my hon. Friend. I accept what he says about the long term. A great deal of research has been carried out on electric vehicles by both Government and industry. That is something that we shall continue to support.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

May I impress upon my right hon. Friend the apparent dearth of information about the most economic speed for a particular size of engine in terms of fuel economy? Is he aware that the 56 mph figure that is so often quoted in motoring magazines is misleading the motoring public into believing that that is the most economic speed, whereas, I gather, economic speeds vary according to the size of car?

Mr. Fowler

My hon. Friend has raised this matter with me before. I shall give it further consideration to ascertain whether further improvement may be made.

Mr. Cook

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that, whatever improvements are made to the motor car, public transport will always remain more economical in the use of fuel? Will he consider the imaginative lead given by the Swedish Government, who have responded to the energy crisis by slashing rail fares? Does he agree that that is the type of measure that we need to get traffic off the roads and on to the right track?

Mr. Fowler

I note the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. Clearly, a decision on fare levels is for the British Railways Board. It has considered these matters and has come to the conclusion that a general reduction would not lead to the increased revenue that it wants. Its approach has been to have selective reductions, such as the recently introduced family rail card scheme, which I think have much greater potential.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Will my right hon. Friend resist suggestions that the speed limit should be reduced? Is he aware that that would cause the maximum of inconvenience and the minimum of overall saving?

Mr. Fowler

My hon. Friend is right. The last time that this took place, the police found extreme difficulty in enforcing the laws, which caused a great deal of confusion to the public.

Mr. Freeson

The Minister referred to the research being undertaken into battery-operated vehicles. Is he satisfied that this research is being given the emphasis and resources that are required? It has been going on for very many years. Is it not about time that there was a breakthrough in this matter with much more effort being put by the Government and other sources into getting a successful vehicle on to the road?

Mr. Fowler

I shall look again at that point. The information that I have indicates that there is a considerable amount of research going on. I shall review that in the light of the energy crisis and see whether further impetus can be given.