§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking(a) to encourage the spread of gas-powered vehicles and (b) widening of access to LPG. [44799]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government have already undertaken a number of measures to promote the use of road fuel gases including freezing the duty on road fuel gases in successive budgets and providing £6.5 million to the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme to help stimulate the market for alternative fuels. The Government have also announced the introduction from January 1999 of an incentive of up to a £500 reduction in VED for lorries and buses meeting stringent emission standards.
These measures are significantly reducing the operating costs of gas-powered vehicles in order to make them competitive with conventional petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles. By stimulating demand in this way the Government anticipate that refuelling facilities will 630W gradually increase though it seems likely that they will be confined, at least initially, to urban sites for use by dedicated fleets.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of propane as a fuel; what steps he proposes to encourage its use; and if he will make a statement. [45129]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonVehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), of which propane and butane are the primary constituents, can make a contribution towards meeting our air quality objectives, particularly when used in well engineered applications by commercial fleets operating in urban areas. The steps being taken to encourage the use of LPG were the subject of my reply today to a question from the hon. Member for Taunton (Jackie Ballard).