HC Deb 15 July 1985 vol 83 cc5-6W
Mr. Roger King

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that the European Economic Community requirements on vehicle exhaust emissions have now reached a satisfactory resolution on a number of outstanding technical points as mentioned in his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield on 3 July, Official Report, column 318; if he will list those technical points; and how each of them has been resolved.

Mr. Butcher

There have, since my right hon. Friend's answer, been a number of discussions in Brussels or, these points and negotiations are proceeding, but there is still much work to be done before they are satisfactorily resolved. It would not facilitate these negotiations to detail the points under discussion; however the United Kingdom has made clear that they must be resolved before the directive can be adopted.

Mr. Roger King

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received from the British motor industry on the subject of the European Economic Community's requirements on vehicle exhaust emissions.

Mr. Butcher

Vehicle emissions proposals have been the subject of extensive Ministerial and official correspondence and discussion with interested trade associations and companies over many months.

Mr. Roger King

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated cost to the consumer of full implementation of the European Economic Community requirement on car exhaust emission of (i) a 1.6 litre car and (ii) a 2.5 litre car, including purchase price and running cost.

Mr. Butcher

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Roger King

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the cost to the British motor industry in implementing the European Economic Community's requirements on vehicle exhaust emissions;

(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the viability of the British car industry of the latest proposed European Economic Community rules on exhaust emissions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

The technology required has been developed or is being actively developed by British vehicle and component manufacturers. The costs will depend, amongst other factors, on decisions still to be made by governments of some Member States about whether and when to implement the tighter standards to be permitted; on the commercial responses of the companies affected; and to some extent on outstanding points still under negotiation.