§ Sir Graham BrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many urban-based heavy and car diesel vehicles are currently licensed; and what was the figure 10 years ago. [39754]
§ Mr. BowisThis information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Figures for registered keepers of diesel-powered vehicles in Great Britain for 1985 and 1995, with those in London boroughs and former metropolitan counties at the end of 1995, are as follows:
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Total diesel registered keepers (thousands) Private and light goods Heavy goods vehicles Others All End of 1985 396 497 584 1,477 End of 1995 3,094 415 564 4,073 End of 1995 data: London 242 33 27 301 Manchester 155 26 12 193 Merseyside 48 7 8 62
Total diesel registered keepers (thousands) Private and light goods Heavy goods vehicles Others All South Yorkshire 67 10 11 88 Tyne and Wear 42 5 7 54 West Midlands 221 29 13 263 West Yorkshire 106 17 12 135
§ Sir Graham BrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the length of time required after the introduction of European directives 1 and 2 concerning the reduction in emission from diesel vehicles for the entire United Kingdom fleet to comply with the lower limits. [39762]
§ Mr. BowisDepartmental models used to estimate emissions from the diesel vehicle fleet assume that fewer than 2 per cent. of cars, heavy lorries and buses will fail to comply with the more stringent standards after 15, 16 and 19 years respectively. Since buses are commonly re-engined, the latter figure should be treated with caution.