§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for(a) how many and (b) what proportion of (i) new cars use unleaded fuel and (ii) car owners have converted their cars to unleaded fuel and what proportion this is of cars that can be converted, (iii) new cars have a catalytic converter, (iv) new cars made in the United Kingdom have catalytic converters and (v) car owners have had a catalytic converter fitted.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 2 March 1992]: The Information for (i) and (ii) is not available in the form requested although the hon. Gentleman may also wish to know that in December 1991, 43 per cent. of petrol sold in the United Kingdom was unleaded.
According to a recent survey of barriers against further uptake of unleaded petrol, carried out by the Department of the Environment, some relevant information is as follows:
- (i) 95 per cent. of drivers with cars under two years old and whose cars can run on unleaded fuel, use it.
- (ii) 39 per cent. of regular drivers can and do use unleaded fuel. 7 per cent. of regular drivers can but do not use unleaded fuel.
The rest of the information is as follows:
- (iii) According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, in the fourth quarter of 1991, 24 per cent. of new cars sold in the United Kingdom had a catalytic converter.
- (iv) In the time available it has not been possible to produce comparable figures for new cars made in the United Kingdom.
- (v) It is not known how many car owners have had a catalytic converter fitted.