Lead in Petrol

HC Deb 05 March 1984 vol 55 c428W

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the timetable in relation to the implementation of legislation on lead in petrol

Mr. Waldegrave

At their meeting on 16 June 1983, EC Environment Ministers invited the European Commission to bring forward by April 1984 proposals for reducing petrol-lead levels in the Community. The Commission set up a working group of experts whose report on the cost and other implications of a number of possible ways forward I expect to be available shortly. In the light of this report, the Commission expects to make proposals by mid-April. I expect to consider those proposals with my colleagues when Environment Ministers next meet in June, with a view to taking early decisions. The timetable for ensuring legislation will depend on the terms of the Ministerial decisions. But the United Kingdom objective remains to introduce unleaded petrol for new vehicles by 1990 at the latest.