HC Deb 01 August 1984 vol 65 cc326-7
5. Mr. Neil Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will be discussing the costs to the car and oil industries of the proposed draft directives on lead in petrol and vehicle emissions at the next Council of Industry Ministers.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Mr. Norman Lamont)

These draft directives were considered by Environment Ministers at the Council of Ministers on 28 June. I am not aware of any plans for formal discussions of this subject within the Council by Industry Ministers.

Mr. Hamilton

My hon. Friend will be aware that the United Kingdom Government have been attempting to persuade the European Community to bring forward the date for the introduction of unleaded petrol in the Community from 1991 to 1989. Is he aware that the draft directives were arrived at after lengthy discussions with the car and oil industries and that any attempt to anticipate the Commission's proposal and to bring forward the date for the introduction of unleaded petrol is likely to lead only to a greater influx of Japanese cars, thereby harming the British car and oil industries?

Mr. Lamont

I note what my hon. Friend says. Obviously, any advance on this proposal must be made on a co-ordinated basis throughout Europe. We would not wish our industry in any way to be at a disadvantage. Any advancing of the programme must obviously be across Europe.

Mr. Rogers

Is the Minister now saying that he is prepared to poison the British people so long as we stay competitive with Europe? Is that what he means by saying that, although lead has been proved a risk, he is still not ready to introduce these directives until others do?

Mr. Lamont

The hon. Gentleman would be astonished if I were to reply yes. Indeed, that is hardly the situation. He knows that we have taken the initiative in moving forward quickly towards the introduction of unleaded petrol, but at the same time we are rightly determined to ensure that our industry is in no way disadvantaged. For that reason, this must be done on a harmonised basis throughout Europe. It is not in the interest of jobs in the motor industry to do otherwise.