§ 23. Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Government intend to take in 1985 to reduce the pollution from vehicle exhausts.
§ Mrs. ChalkerPollution from vehicles is controlled by European Community standards.
Regulations reducing the maximum lead content of petrol from 0.4 grammes per litre to 0.15 grammes per litre—the lowest level for leaded petrol permitted under the relevant directive—will come into force at the end of this year.
We have recently accepted the provisions for Directive 83/351/EEC, which contains the latest Community standards for gaseous emissions for cars. Discussions are now taking place in Europe on lower emission limits both for cars and diesel engined vehicles and we are seeking the lowest limits that can be achieved at reasonable cost by the use of advanced, fuel-efficient technologies.