§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to reduce(a) the number of vehicle journeys and (b) pollution from motor vehicles following the two most recent reports from the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants; and if he will make a statement. [24743]
§ Mr. NorrisFollowing the publication in November 1995 on "Non Biological Particles and Health" by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, the Government issued a preliminary response. The response set out policy measures from all sectors including road transport to abate emissions of particles to address both the findings of this report and the recommendation for an 39W air quality standard for particles from the expert panel of air quality standards published at the same time. The Government undertook to progress the matter in the context of the air quality strategy being prepared under the Environment Act 1995 which will be issued for consultation later this year.
The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants report, "Asthma and Outdoor Pollution", was published in October 1995. The report found that the link between air pollution and asthma in the United Kingdom was much less definite than has been suggested. Further research will be carried out as a part of a programme of 40W work into air pollution and respiratory disease funded by the Department of Health, the Department of the Environment and the Medical Research Council.