Petrol (Lead Content) (Hansard, 23 June 1982)

§ 18. Mr. Dubs
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received on the effects of lead in petrol.

§ Mr. Giles Shaw
Between 1 January and 24 May, 75 letters were received by the Department, three-quarters from right hon. and hon. Members, the remainder from industrialists, local authority representatives, officers of other organisations and members of the public. The Campaign for Lead-Free Air invited its supporters to write to me on 24 May, and a further 130 letters had been received by the end of last week, mainly from members of the public.

§ Mr. Dubs
Do the Government believe that there is a safe level of lead?

§ Mr. Shaw
The Government believe that there is a tolerable level of lead that is free from hazard, but our overall policy must be directed to closing the gap between what is regarded as totally safe and what is regarded as acceptable. We are closing the gap by the fastest possible means and are reducing the lead content of petrol from 0.4 to 0.15 grams per litre.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
For how long do the Government intend to withstand the overriding pressure of the evider ce that any amount of lead is harmful to adults and children?

§ Mr. Shaw
I apologise to my hon. Friend. I did riot fully hear his question.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
My question was: for how long does my hon. Friend intend to withstand the overriding pressure of evidence that any amount of lead is harmful to adults and children?

§ Mr. Shaw
I have made it clear to my hon. Friend several times that we are taking steps substantially to reduce the hazard across the wide range of its applications in petrol, water or the air. That is the correct policy for us to pursue.