§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the proposals under consideration by the European Parliament and European Commission to halve the pollution emissions from cars.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe European Parliament at its March plenary meeting rejected proposed amendments to the latest directive on vehicle emissions which called specifically for the halving of pollution emissions from cars. The Council of Environment Ministers therefore adopted this directive, further amending directive 70/220/EEC, on 24 March, taking account of the European Parliament's views. In addition to specifying new tighter standards, the latest directive also calls for the European Commission to bring forward by the end of this year further proposals to reduce emissions from cars.