HL Deb 09 May 1984 vol 451 c922

2.57 p.m.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards agreement with their EEC partners on lead-free petrol.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords at the Environment Council in June last year we tabled a memorandum, together with the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, calling for the introduction of unleaded petrol throughout the European Community as soon as possible. The EC Commission have since been examining the implications of doing this and are due to produce specific proposals for discussion at the next Environ-ment Council meeting in June. We have not yet seen these, but as soon as we do we shall invite comments from industry and interested groups.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, I thank the Minister for answering in that way. Nevertheless, would he not agree that it is now over a year since a decision was made by the British Government to move into lead-free petrol? Is he not also aware that the West German Government have set a date for this, which will be during 1986–87? So would the noble Lord give an assurance that his right honourable friend, when he attends the June meeting of the EC summit, will press the other countries to come up with a date prior to 1990, which is the earliest date that the British have at this moment offered?

Lord Skelmersdale

No, my Lords, 1990 is not the earliest date that the British have offered. What we have said is that we see it as a practicable date to aim for, for we shall do all in our power to achieve unleaded petrol before that time. That remains our position. But from the end of 1985 petrol will contain a very small amount of lead—60 per cent. less than it does at present. We are intent upon removing the remainder as a matter of general prudence. When my honourable friend the Under-Secretary goes to the Council of Ministers at the end of June he will put forward exactly that point of view and will try his very hardest to seek agreement to an early completion of the course which we have set ourselves.