Mr. Hookyasked the Minister of Transport what is the current rate of progress in reducing the lead content of petrol; what further reductions are contemplated in 1980 and 1981; and how action in this matter compares with standards applied in the other countries of the EEC.
§ Mr. FowlerThe legal limit on the lead content of petrol in this country is454W currently 0.45 grammes per litre. This limit took effect in January 1978 following a series of reductions in the lead content of petrol. Regulations were made earlier this year which prescribe a further reduction to 0.40 grammes per litre from January 1981.
The limits currently applying in other countries of the EEC are as follows:
Grammes per litre Belgium 0..45 Denmark 0..40 France 0..50 Federal Republic of Germany 0..15 Ireland 0..64* Italy 0.675† Luxembourg 0.55 Netherlands 0.40 * Commercial limit only †Commercial limit for tetraethyl lead