§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions were carried out in 1986 against the operators of diesel-fuelled vehicles as the result of road-side testing for excess smoke emissions.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn 1985, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 675 prosecutions for smoke offences in England and Wales. In addition, the Department's vehicle examiners at roadside checks prohibited a number of vehicles from further use until they had passed a full test at a heavy goods vehicle testing station.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are currently used for assessing the level of emissions from diesel-fuelled vehicles; on what tests these criteria are based; and whether the health effects of particular hydrocarbons were considered in the setting of the criteria.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyRequirements are usually expressed for gaseous emissions or particulates in terms of the rate of mass emitted, and for smoke in terms of opacity, during a standard test applied to new engines. The current limits for smoke are set out in European Community directive 72/306. Limits for gaseous emissions from large diesels and particular emissions from diesel-engined cars have been proposed by the European Commission. In making its proposals in regard to particulates the Commission refers to the interests of providing better public health protection.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce an objective road-side test for assessing the acceptability of emissions from diesel-fuelled vehicles.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyExcessive smoke emissions under free acceleration can be judged visually by an experienced examiner. Measurement of gaseous emissions or particulates by weight, or smoke by opacity, cannot be done without sophisticated equipment to enable the engine to be tested under load and its emissions analysed. This would not be practicable at the road-side.
§ Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to promote the fitting of pollution-reducing technology on all new cars in Britain.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAll new cars have to comply with regulations controlling vehicle exhaust emissions. The Government are continuing to review the need for more stringent controls which could require manufacturers to use more costly pollution control technologies.
§ Mr. Livseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for seeking to reduce air pollution from car exhaust fumes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTighter vehicle emission standards are currently under discussion in the European Community. Subject to final agreement being reached, the 665W Government intend to achieve reductions in pollution from vehicle exhaust emissions consistent with the use of cost-effective technology.