§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that exhaust emission standards agreed by the European Community are fully implemented in the United Kingdom; and what efforts are currently being made by his Department to encourage the fitting of catalytic devices to all motor vehicles sold within the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe shall be consulting in the next few months on draft regulations which will fully implement the new European Community standards in the United Kingdom.
Catalysts are a valuable aid to achievement of these standards. We expect most new petrol engined cars over 1.4 litres that comply with the limits will use them. The standards for cars under 2 litres have also been set so as not to inhibit the further development of lean burn technology, which has the dual benefit of improving fuel economy and minimising carbon dioxide emissions.