§ 49. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement as to the current degree of atmospheric pollution at street level in city centres; if he will set out the order of priority of elimination he has attached to the various elements; and whether he intends to introduce regulations.
§ Mr. MarksAtmospheric pollution in city centres arises from a number of sources, but motor vehicle emissions tend to predominate at street level. Government policy has been to prevent an increase in total emissions from vehicles, and since 1972, when surveys began, there has been no detectable change in pollution levels in streets. Because conditions vary greatly from place to place it would not be useful to set out an order of priority for dealing with different pollutants. The question of further measures to control vehicle emissions is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.