HC Deb 10 December 1959 vol 615 cc72-3W
104. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what progress has now been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in connection with the muffler device of a filtration character brought from the United States of America for experimental purposes, in connection with abatement of noxious fumes from the exhausts of motor vehicles, notably diesel oil vehicles; when a report upon the efficacy of this equipment will be available; and, having regard to the vitiating effect of exhaust fumes upon the promotion of clean air policy, what further steps are to be undertaken in connection with the decontamination and decolourisation of exhaust fumes from motor vehicles.

Sir D. Eccles

My noble Friend understands that the American device is not in commercial production and has not yet reached the stage of development at which the claims of the manufacturers can be assessed by the Warren Spring Laboratory. The laboratory is, however, keeping in touch with this development, and arrangements are being made to test two other devices which have recently been developed in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.