§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he supported moves by the Dutch Government to lower the maximum permissible level of sulphur in diesel from 2000 at the recent Council of European Environment Ministers meeting; and if he will make a statement.[6166]
§ Angela EagleThe UK supported the proposal by the Dutch Presidency that diesel fuel containing an indicative level of 50ppm sulphur should be phased in from 2005. This proposal was accepted as part of the Common Position at the Council of European Environment Ministers. The UK also supported proposals for a level of 350ppm sulphur in diesel as a mandatory standard for 2000. This was proposed by the Commission, supported by the Presidency and accepted as part of the Common Position.