§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is not in fact the case that lead-associated health considerations played a part in the decision of countries such as the United States of America and Japan to introduce lead-free petrol.
§ The Earl of AvonIn replying to a supplementary question from the noble Baroness on 29th March, I inadvertently left the House with the impression that the only reason why the United States and Japan had introduced lead-free petrol was in order to deal with photochemical smog. It is true that this was their primary reason for introducing lead-free petrol, but I should have made clear that—like us—they also wanted to reduce total lead emissions because of the possible risk of adverse health effects which they posed.