§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to require the fitting of large carbon canisters to cars; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Government are keen to ensure that there is a substantial reduction in evaporative emissions from petrol engined cars. From the end of next year all new cars will have to be fitted with carbon canisters as standard equipment to achieve this reduction. We are working on further measures which will probably involve minimising evaporative emissions while cars are running or being refuelled. The fitting of larger carbon canisters to cars is one technical means of achieving this. We also hope that the European Commission will soon make long-overdue proposals to minimise evaporative emissions in the petrol distribution network.