§ 72. Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to undertake any joint initiative to further reduce lead in the atmosphere.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyAt the end of 1985, the maximum amount of lead permitted in petrol was reduced by 0.4 to 0.15 grammes per litre: This produced a 50 per cent. drop in airborne levels. However, lead from petrol still accounts for about 80 per cent. of lead in the air. The Government therefore fully support the move to unleaded petrol. The chancellor's budget incentive has resulted in unleaded petrol being on sale at about lop per gallon cheaper than leaded fuel. The Government funded a major advertising campaign in April; further promotional initiatives are co-ordinated by the unleaded petrol group which I chair. The measures taken so far have contributed to the rapid uptake of the fuel which now accounts for over 20 per cent. of the market; the average for last year was just 1 per cent.