Lead Replacement Petrol

HL Deb 20 April 1999 vol 599 cc1013-5

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will announce the British standard for additives to be used by oil companies in lead replacement petrol or as marketed by independent manufacturers; and whether the Government will require adequate testing before such products are sold.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)

My Lords, work is continuing on the British standard specifying recommended additives for lead replacement petrol. Agreement has largely been reached on the technical content but other aspects such as labelling are still under discussion. My discussions with the oil companies lead me to have every confidence that the industry will market fuels which meet the needs of motorists. Consumers will also be protected by the Consumer Protection Act which requires oil companies and fuel retailers to market fuels which are fit-for-purpose. We do not however plan to have a separate British standard for additives sold separately but welcome the testing of products which has been carried out by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu

My Lords, in thanking the Minister for that reply I declare an interest in older vehicles. Does the noble Lord agree that without some kind of benchmarking or British standard, several million drivers of older vehicles will be continually apprehensive, perhaps through ignorance, as to the effect on their vehicles of the lack of leaded petrol? Does the Minister agree that it behoves the Government to co-operate with the fuel companies to mount a national campaign of information so that drivers know what steps they can take to minimise any possible damage to their cars after 1st January next? With regard to the 0.5 per cent. of leaded petrol that will be allowed to be distributed, have the Government had any discussion with the fuel companies as to when, how and where this can be done?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, as to the availability of lead replacement fuel, we are confident that for the vast majority of cars the major oil companies and retailers will produce a petrol to the standard required in time. As I indicated, in technical terms the standard of performance is there. I and my colleague John Reid have had recent discussions with UKPIA and representatives of the major oil companies. At least two of the companies have announced their intention to provide this product. I believe that all of them, within the next few months, will have indicated the timescale of a gradual introduction from the autumn onwards of lead replacement petrol on petrol station forecourts. As to the 0.5 per cent. continued sale of leaded petrol, I am unable to give the noble Lord the precise details of the distribution. A number of options are being looked at that go beyond purely the racing field. We are continuing to work in that area.

Lord Monro of Langholm

My Lords, I am not sure that the average owner of an elderly motor car shares the Minister's confidence as to the availability of replacement petrol by the end of the year. Can the Minister go further and explain how the fuel companies will organise LRP? Will it contain additives, or will there be separate additives to unleaded petrol? Can he also provide more information about when the whole matter will be resolved? We seem to be hanging on week by week with no official announcement by the Government.

Lord Whitty

My Lords, I do not believe that what the noble Lord says is entirely accurate. In co-operation with the oil companies the Government produced some detailed information. Several million leaflets were produced to explain the situation. However, I recognise that there is still a lack of awareness out there and some apprehension on the part of many motorists. In conjunction with the oil companies we shall engage in further publicity. That will include labelling pumps on forecourts. In general, existing four-star leaded petrol will be replaced directly with lead replacement petrol in the months running up to 1st January. The operation will be relatively seamless.

Lord Steel of Aikwood

My Lords, several times the Minister referred to consultation with the oil companies. Does he recall that when this House last debated the subject it was also suggested that the DTI should co-ordinate with the motor manufacturers to try to persuade them to issue guidance on their older models concerning engine modifications or additives to be used? As far as I am aware, only Jaguar has done so. It would be interesting to know whether the Government have pursued that suggestion.

Lord Whitty

My Lords, there has been some consultation with the motor manufacturers and advice has been given. I repeat that for the vast majority of cars it will be a direct switch from four-star leaded petrol to lead replacement petrol and there will be no need for adjustment except in a limited number of cases where engines have been somewhat hammered in which case separate advice on additives may be appropriate. This type of petrol has already been used successfully in several European countries which have gone over to non-leaded petrol for general consumption.

Lord Geddes

My Lords, as regards the 0.5 per cent. to which my noble friend Lord Montagu referred, what instructions or guidance have the Government given to facilities to sell such leaded petrol? In particular, what safety precautions will be required for such sale?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, as I indicated in my first response we are still discussing the methods of distribution. Clearly, some commercial decisions will have to be taken by the oil companies. Such petrol will be available for racing, and a number of sites have been suggested, including airfields, car club locations and designated petrol stations. We need to ensure that such distribution system and the regulation of it complies with the directive and our derogation under it. However, further work is required and will be conducted in the coming months.

Lord Marsh

My Lords, following the last question, does the Minister agree that there is a real danger in particular with classic cars involving clubs and small numbers of people? The distances involved in finding sources could result in people storing petrol in domestic houses. It is a danger about which many people are concerned.

Lord Whitty

My Lords, that is precisely why we need to ensure that we have an adequate distribution system and that safety precautions are clearly known to potential continuing users of leaded petrol.