HL Deb 23 April 1990 vol 518 cc315-6

2.56 p.m.

Lord Brougham and Vaux asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the most recent figure available for sales of unleaded petrol.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)

My Lords, unleaded petrol sales, indicated by Customs and Excise figures for the amount of unleaded petrol cleared from bonded warehouses, were 786 million litres in the month up to 14th March. That represents 30-6 per cent. of total petrol sales.

Lord Brougham and Vaux

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that informative reply. Will he say how that figure compares with sales of unleaded petrol two years ago and what reduction in the amount of lead in the atmosphere has taken place since 1989?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the uptake of unleaded petrol in the past 18 months has risen from 2 per cent. to the figure that I quoted to my noble friend; namely, some 30-6 per cent. I do not have the figure since 1989, but since 1985-88—these are the most recent figures for the amount of lead in the atmosphere—there has been a fall of some 53 per cent.

Lord Mcintosh of Haringey

My Lords, will the Minister take this opportunity to dispel the cynical rumour that, when a satisfactory level of unleaded petrol has been achieved, the excise duty will be put up again?

Lord Hesketh

Far from that, my Lords, the recent Budget increased the differential for the third successive time, which I am sure shows the Chancellor's intention.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

My Lords, given that all new cars are manufactured to operate on unleaded petrol, will my noble friend say what percentage of the existing vehicle fleet in this country is capable of being altered to take unleaded petrol?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, a substantial number of vehicles can be converted. They are all to be found listed in a copy of Adjust to Unleaded. It is a substantial list. So, if my noble friend finds it acceptable, I shall post him a copy.

Lord Brougham and Vaux

My Lords, will my noble friend tell me how many garages throughout the United Kingdom are now able to sell unleaded petrol?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, out of some 20,100 stations, approximately 18,200 now sell unleaded petrol.