HC Deb 22 March 1989 vol 149 cc650-1W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to introduce new limits for diesel engine pollutants emissions.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I have been asked to reply.

We shall be consulting shortly on regulations which will apply limits on gaseous emissions from diesel engined vehicles for the first time.

For cars we shall apply European standards in two stages. The first stage (directive 83/351/EEC') sets standards identical to those which currently apply to petrol-engined vehicles. It will take effect on 1 October 1990. The second stage (directive 88/76/EEC) will apply the same limits that will mean the general fitment of catalysts to petrol-engined cars. It will take effect by 1 October 1993.

On 1 October 1990 we shall also apply the European particulate limits for diesel-engined cars (directive 88/436/EEC). Special arrangements in line with all these directives will be made for direct injection diesel-engined cars.

For all other diesel-engined vehicles we shall apply the recently agreed European standard on gaseous emissions (directive 88/77/EEC) at the earliest date permitted, 1 October 1990.

Discussions are continuing in the European Community on a tightening of the 88/77/EEC standards and on the introduction of particulate limits for these other categories of vehicle.