HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 cc327-8W
Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the provisions in European Economic Community regulations which govern the lead content of petrol in the United Kingdom; and if he will specify the minimum and maximum lead content that is permitted.

Mr. Fowler

European Community directive 78/611 deals with the approximation of the laws of member States concerning the lead content of petrol for vehicles. Article 2 of the directive provides that from 1 January 1981 the maximum permitted lead content of petrol placed upon the Community internal market shall be 0.40 grammes per litre and that member States shall not establish limits lower than 0.15 grammes per litre. Article 3 also provides that they should ensure that the reduction in lead content does not cause a significant increase in the quantities of other pollutants or a deterioration in the quality of petrol.