§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member 229W for Brent, East on 21 December 1981, Official Report, column 329, what information he has concerning the high cost of producing lead-free petrol and cars to run on that fuel.
§ Mr. David HowellThis would need heavy investment by the motor industry to redesign and make car engines capable of using lead-free petrol. In addition, the higher fuel consumption figures for such engines would result in a permanent increase in crude oil consumption—we estimate an increase of 5 per cent. in the amount of crude used compared to current figures. The cost of this in full operation—in 1980 pounds, but allowing for further increases in the real costs of crude oil—could be £250 million to £300 million every year in comparison with 1980.