§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 280, on Land Rovers, if he will list the planned changes in EU Regulations concerning exhaust emissions with which it would be difficult for the 110 series Army Landrover to comply; and what representations the Government have made to the EU about such exhaust emission regulations. [27195]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1998]: EU Directives to reduce vehicle emissions apply at the date of vehicle manufacture and are not retrospective. All Land Rover Defender 110 Series vehicles in service with the MOD complied with the emission regulations in force at their date of manufacture, and the Trucks Utility Medium (High Specification) vehicles now being delivered comply fully with current EU regulations. Future EU Directives will require the motor industry to comply with more stringent emission limits. As such, EU Directive 96/69/EC will set tighter limits for mass carbon monoxide, combined hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen, and particulates for this class of vehicle manufactured after 1 October 1998. Beyond that date, future legislation has not been fully defined. It is not MOD policy to seek exemption from EU Directives on emissions levels relating to these vehicles.
The Government are committed to reducing pollution by cutting emission levels. We are, therefore, exploring ways in which the emissions of all the in-service Land Rover vehicles, including the 110 Series vehicles, could be reduced.