1. Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the reports on air quality when public inquiries are held on major roadway developments; and if he will make a statement. [24716]
§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Sir George Young)Environmental statements for trunk road schemes, including air quality assessments, are prepared in accordance with current best practice, as set out in the design manual for roads and bridges. The manual is updated in the light of new developments in assessment methodology.
Mr. O'BrienIs the Secretary of State aware that, at a public inquiry held last year on the realignment of the A1 and the junction of the M62 at Ferrybridge, questions were asked about the environmental assessment relating to vehicle pollution, and the inquiry was told that no such assessment had been made? The interchange is within 200 m of a junior and infants' school where the majority of 2 children suffer from asthma; more than 200 were admitted to hospital in Wakefield last year. Does the Secretary of State agree that the Department should be more involved in obtaining assessments of air pollution when motorways are so near to schools, and will he ensure that such assessments are available at public inquiries for public scrutiny?
§ Sir George YoungAs the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, it is difficult for me to comment on the scheme, as a public inquiry has been held. The inspector has submitted a report, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I are now considering. I shall study it carefully before reaching a decision. I know that the hon. Gentleman gave evidence at the inquiry.
Let me reaffirm that, when we are examining trunk road schemes, it is important for air quality assessments to be prepared in accordance with best practice. In arriving at decisions, we take account of the factors mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Dr. SpinkDoes my right hon. Friend agree that natural gas-powered vehicles are one alternative that could improve the control of pollution from vehicles, especially public service vehicles? Will he congratulate my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor on reducing the tax on that source of fuel, and will he encourage him to do the same this year?
§ Sir George YoungI am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will be grateful for the plaudits heaped on him by my hon. Friend, and I know that he will take my hon. Friend's recommendations into account when he crafts his next Budget.
The Government are giving keen consideration to the development of new fuels and new vehicle technologies in order to reduce vehicle emissions and drive up standards of air quality. My Department continues to conduct trials of alternative fuels with local authorities and with industry.
§ Mr. ChidgeyWill the Secretary of State confirm that he is aware that recent medical research carried out by 3 hospitals in England shows a direct relationship between the volume of traffic on trunk roads, and their closeness to urban areas, and the incidence of admission to hospital of patients with respiratory illnesses? What plans has he to include a calculation of health disbenefits in the overall calculation of benefits and costs for major highway schemes?
§ Sir George YoungI think that improving air quality should be an objective in its own right, regardless of the specific economic factors to which the hon. Gentleman has referred. It is worth restating that air quality is improving, and that transport emissions are forecast to halve over the next decade as a result of improvements in vehicle emission standards and the enforcement measures that are already in place. My Department is playing an active role in improving the quality of the atmosphere and health standards, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will support us in that objective.