§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to reduce lead pollution from motor vehicles by (a) expediting the availability of lead-tolerant catalysts and their use on cars, (b) introducing dual-purpose silencers and filters and the blending of petrol with methanol and (c) encouraging the use of diesel engines for private cars.
§ Mr. David HowellLead emissions from vehicles will fall by more than 60 per cent. with the ban on all but low-lead petrol which comes into force at the end of 1985. No doubt greater use of diesel-engined cars, encouraged by100W the recent change in duty, will produce further reductions. Lead-tolerant catalysts would have no effect on lead emissions, and lead filters would achieve a smaller reduction than the course we have chosen. Methanol, as a total substitute for lead, could not be used in existing cars.