§ Mr. WarrenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the effectiveness of the law governing the emission of diesel fumes from vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Government keep diesel emissions under constant review. Regulations have recently been made that apply for the first time limits on the emission of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons from new heavy diesel vehicles. The Commission is expected to make proposals shortly to introduce a second stage of limits on these emissions from heavy diesels and to set particulate limits for these vehicles for the first time. The United Kingdom has taken a leading role in helping the Commission to prepare a draft directive.
The annual tests for buses and heavy goods vehicles include a visual check on smoke density. Over the past two years the Department has increased substantially its programme of roadside checks on the condition of goods vehicles. This also includes a check on smoke emissions. We are considering how future emission standards might most effectively be enforced.