Pollution (Hansard, 12 April 1988)

§ Mr. Allan Roberts
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding staged percentage reductions in emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust from large combustion plants in the United Kingdom within the context of the proposed European directive on large combustion plants and as to the dates by which the proposed percentage reductions will be achieved in the United Kingdom;
(2) if he will make a statement on the reason for the rejection by Her Majesty's Government of the compromise proposals put forward by the Federal Republic of Germany, at the meeting of the Council of Environment Ministers on 21 March, on emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust from large combustion plants.

§ Mr. Moynihan
On 30 March the Department submitted a memorandum on the large combustion plants directive, which addresses the issues raised by the hon. Member, to the Environment Select Committee which is currently conducting an inquiry on air pollution. Copies of the memorandum are available in the Library of the House.

§ Mr. Allan Roberts
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimates he had of the total cost to the United Kingdom car industry of meeting emission limits of HC + NOx = 8g/test and CO= 30g/test for the second stage of regulations affecting small cars, below 1.4 litre engine capacity, within the terms of the European directive on emissions of air pollution from petrol-engined vehicles; what would be the increase in the average cost of manufacture of each vehicle; and what percentage of the extra cost of production would be passed on to the consumer;
(2) what estimates he had of the additional cost to the United Kingdom car industry of meeting emission limits of HC + NOx = 5g/test and CO = 20g/test, proposed by the European Commission for the second stage of regulation affecting small cars, below 1.4 litre engine capacity, within the terms of the European directive on emissions of air 72W pollution from petrol-engined vehicles, compared with meeting the emission standards of HC + NOx = 8g/test and CO = 30g/test;
(3) if he will make a statement on the reasons for the rejection by Her Majesty's Government at the Council of Environment Ministers on 21 March, of the compromise proposals put forward by the European Commission on emissions of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from new cars with petrol engines smaller than 1.4 litres.

§ Mr. Moynihan
The European Directive 88/76/EEC on gaseous emissions from cars, gave limit values for three vehicle categories. It recognised that the market for small cars, below 1.4 litre engine capacity, was the most sensitive to cost and fuel consumption. Accordingly the limits set for small cars were less stringent than those for medium and large cars. The recent proposal put forward by the European Commission for the second stage limits for small cars, as part of the Luxembourg agreement, was 30g/test for CO and 8g/test for HCs + NOx. These are also the limits for medium cars in 88/76/EEC. The United Kingdom Government, in common with several other member states, believes that the limits would place disproportionate costs on small cars. We remain to be convinced that the proposed limits would not entail an increase in motoring costs out of proportion to the benefits obtained.
The average increase in costs to meet the Commission's proposals are estimated to be £100/vehicle. The annual costs to the car industry are estimated to be £100 million. It is a matter for the motor industry to decide what percentage of the extra cost is to be passed on to the motorist.
Some member states are seeking limits of 20g/test for CO and 5g/test for HCs + NOx. To meet these limits the estimated annual increase in manufacturers' costs compared to the Commission proposal is a further £150 million.