HC Deb 18 March 1955 vol 538 c141W
Mr. Wade

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Metropolitan Police to ensure the enforcement of the existing law which prohibits the emission of foul exhausts from motor vehicles, as recommended in the Report of the Committee on Air Pollution.

Major Lloyd-George

Regulation 78 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1951, provides thatEvery motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition, and shall be so driven and used on a road, that there shall not be emitted therefrom any smoke, visible vapour, grit, sparks, ashes, cinders or oily substance, the emission of which could be prevented or avoided by the taking of any reasonable steps or the exercise of reasonable care, or the emission of which might cause damage to other persons or property or endanger the safety of any other users of the road in consequence of any harmful content therein.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis assures me that the Metropolitan police do their best to enforce this provision. It does not often happen however that the circumstances are such as to warrant the institution of proceedings, and most offenders are dealt with by way of oral warning.