§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the percentage of retail petrol outlets that are selling lead-free petrol; what further measures he intends to take to encourage its sale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe percentage of petrol stations in the United Kingdom which sell unleaded petrol are as follows:726W
per cent. England and Wales 11.4 Scotland 12.3 Northern Ireland 7.4 Percentage figures are not available on a regional basis, but at 28 October 1988 the numbers of stations were:
Number Wales 96 Scotland 190 Northern Ireland 70 England: East Midlands 165 Eastern 256 Greater London 192 North West 222 Northern 68 South East 453 South West 221 West Midlands 161 Yorkshire and Humberside 168 The total number is growing rapidly.
The Government are firmly committed to unleaded petrol and are pursuing a number of initiatives to promote greater uptake of the fuel. However, the motor manufacturers and dealers and the oil companies and petrol retailers also have a part to play.
Measures to promote the changeover to unleaded petrol are co-ordinated by the unleaded petrol group, which I chair. The Government are currently participating fully in national lead-free petrol week organised by CLEAR (the Campaign for Lead-Free Air) to encourage greater public awareness about unleaded petrol. Further measures are under consideration.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the makes and models of cars which are manufactured in Britain so as to run on lead-free petrol.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyA complete list of all new cars, indicating whether or not they are capable of running on unleaded petrol, is contained in the Department of Transport's new car fuel consumption guide. A copy of the latest guide has been placed in the Library of the House.