§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the savings in diesel and other fuels that could be achieved by the use of best equipment and running techniques for lorries, buses and diesel locomotives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIn the case of lorries and buses it is tentatively estimated that a saving in fuel use of the order of 15 to 20 per cent. could be obtained in the long term by various changes, including engine and transmission redesign and reductions in unladen weight and aerodynamic drag. In the short term more limited savings of the order of 3 to 5 per456W and that total fuel consumption will rise roughly in line with traffic growth. The lower limit assumes that petrol prices will increase threefold in real terms and that with greater economy in the use of fuel, total consumption will rise by 19 per cent.