HC Deb 09 July 2002 vol 388 cc805-6W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his timetable is for the introduction of car emission labelling on new cars; and if he will make a statement. [67655]

Mr. Jamieson

Labelling for new cars showing fuel consumption information has been a legal requirement in the UK since 1983. Since 1999 the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has had a voluntary system of labelling based on the requirements of the EU directive for labels to show CO2 emissions as well as fuel consumption information. The EU directive was formally implemented in the UK in November 2001. The Government have recently consulted on proposals to pilot a possible new form of label to ensure that it is as meaningful and informative as possible. Responses to the consultation are now being considered.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the contribution the vehicle labelling scheme on car emissions can make to the United Kingdom Kyoto targets. [67658]

Mr. Jamieson

The EU vehicle labelling scheme is part of the Community's wider strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from new passenger cars. It is designed to support and complement other strands of this strategy including voluntary agreements with car manufacturers to reduce average CO2 emissions, and fiscal measures. Provision of information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions under the labelling scheme is a tool with which to influence consumer demand towards more fuel-efficient vehicles. It could also provide an added incentive to manufacturers to produce vehicles with lower fuel consumption. As an integral part of the strategy to reduce CO2 emissions it is difficult to isolate the contribution made by the labelling scheme from wider changes going on in the new car market. Nevertheless, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions labelling is expected to have a smaller impact than for example voluntary agreements with manufacturers.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the contributions made by other EU countries on the subject of the emission ratings on new cars in order to meet Kyoto targets. [67656]

Mr. Jamieson

The EU is keeping its requirements on labelling under review in the light of member state's experience with their different labelling systems introduced under the EU labelling directive. The directive requires member states to provide a report by the end of 2003, discussing the lessons learned from implementing the labelling scheme. That report may better enable an assessment to be made of the contributions made by other EU countries on emissions ratings for new cars and the contribution to meeting CO2 emissions reduction targets.