HC Deb 25 May 1989 vol 153 c687W
Mr. Nicholas Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals there are to introduce standards equivalent to the United States emission standards on small cars within the remainder of countries of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The European Commission has recently made proposals which include the introduction of standards equivalent to the United States emission standards on small cars in 1993, throughout the Community.

The Government support this move, provided it is implemented in a sensible way, without intermediate stages and respecting the unity of the market.

The adoption of three-way catalysts could in some cases increase emission of CO2—the principal greenhouse gas. We shall therefore be pressing the Commission to bring forward proposals to tackle this.