HC Deb 07 June 1991 vol 192 cc349-50W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are currently being taken to meet Government targets for the stabilisation of carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2005.

Mr. Chope

Over the past year or so, the Government have taken a number of initiatives which will help to reduce emissions from the transport sector. These include an emissions check in the MOT test, proposals to fit speed limiters to heavy goods vehicles, and improvements to information about new car fuel economy. The tax changes announced in the last Budget statement will also help to improve incentives to choose fuel efficient cars and drive them in a fuel economic fashion.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken for his Department to show how the Government will meet their target of stabilising carbon dioxide emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2005; and if he will make available any forecasts and associated calculations.

Mr. Chope

My Department has published a report by Dr. M. H. L. Waters on "United Kingdom road transport's contribution to greenhouse gases: a review of TRRL and other research" (Transport and Road Research Laboratory contractor report 223.) This is being followed up by a programme of research into various measures which might help to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Where appropriate, the results will be published in due course.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his Department's traffic forecast for the next 15 years; how he estimates these will affect the Government's declared objective of stabilising carbon dioxide emission levels from 1990 by the year 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The Department's traffic forecasts are published as National Road Traffic Forecasts (Great Britain) 1989 copies of which are in the Library. They indicate that by the year 2005 traffic will be 31 to 52 per cent. higher than in 1990. The impact of traffic levels on emissions of carbon dioxide will largely depend on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle fleet.