HC Deb 15 February 1983 vol 37 cc145-6
5. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the latest evidence he has on the deleterious effects on the health of children of lead in petrol.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

A number of important studies that could further our knowledge of the possible effects of lead on health are awaiting either completion or expert assessment. They include some studies supported by the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science. The MRC will assist the Department in arranging expert scrutiny of the results. The research is necessarily complex and specialised, and comment now would be premature. These studies relate to the effects of lead from all sources; it is not right to single out lead from one source.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that the House and the country have been hearing that kind of answer for years? In view of the public's overwhelming desire to get rid of lead in petrol and the technical possibility of doing so within two years, why do the Government continue to kowtow to the oil companies' vested interests. Why do the Government not introduce a Bill this Session and get cracking on the matter?

Mr. Finsberg

One of the problems is that so many of these statements are based upon leaked documents which when published do not contain what those who leaked them thought they did. The Greenfield report was a perfect example.

Mr. Foulkes

Like the Franks committee report.

Mr. Finsberg

The hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) knows well that the proposals put forward by my right hon. and hon. Friends at the Department of the Environment will reduce lead emission from cars by nearly two thirds and will do it 10 years faster than any other method.

Mr. Rathbone

What co-operation is there between my hon. Friend's Department and other Governments within the EC on this matter?

Mr. Finsberg

We are following the proposals of the Community to bring down the lead content of petrol. One of the studies to which I referred in my answer to the main question is based on a study in Italy. There is close co-operation.

Mr. Maclennan

If the Minister is prepared to move towards a reduction of the lead in petrol, as the Government are doing, why is he not prepared to go the whole way, as suggested?

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Because it would cost a fortune.

Mr. Finsberg

It is because, as has been explained on numerous occasions to the House, the most effective method is the one proposed by my right hon. and hon. Friends at the Department of the Environment, together with a package of measures that we have proposed that will cover items such as lead from other sources, such as old paint and food.

Dr. Mawhinney

Will my hon. Friend tell our hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment that there is enough evidence for him to secure lead-free petrol within a very short time?

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

My hon. Friend must be joking.

Mr. Finsberg

That is a matter about which my right hon. Friend will read, but I do not think that the evidence quite leads to that conclusion.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Quite right. What a load of nonsense.