HC Deb 01 December 1987 vol 123 cc485-6W
Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has made any study of the relative environmental effects in terms of noise and fuel exhaust pollution of electrically powered trolley buses compared with conventional diesel-engined buses travelling on hilly routes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

There has been no specific study carried out by the Department on this point. We have supported the former West Yorkshire county council in representing the United Kingdom in the European study COST 303 of the economic potential for electrically powered trolley buses, in particular those with auxiliary diesel engines which I understand West Yorkshire favours.

Environmental effects as well as economic com-paratives were taken into account in that study the results of which have been published. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library.