§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport ( I) what progress has been made in the study of aircraft emissions foreshadowed in the 1990 White Paper on the environment; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment has been made by his Department of the effects of atmospheric pollution and global warming of the airborne discharges of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide from aircraft.
§ Mr. McLoughlinEmissions of CO2 from civil aircraft amount to about 3 per cent. of total man made CO2 emissions and contribute in that proportion to the overall effects of these emissions. Aircraft NOx emissions have only a marginal effect on pollution in areas in the vicinity of airports. The effects of these emissions in the upper atmosphere are more complex to assess, and the results of studies to date are not conclusive. My Department will be participating in a proposed European-wide research study
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Date Location Region Train type 1986 Fatalities 4 January Carronbridge Scottish — 19 January Attleborough/Shilton London Midland — 1 March Temple Hirst Eastern — 14 March Mellis Eastern — 3 May Tollerton Eastern — 16 May Croy Station Scottish — 26 May Earlswood Southern — 27 May Northampton London Midland — 29 June Pencoed Western — 7 August Marks Tey Eastern — 29 August Plawsworth Scottish — 27 December Pyle Western — 1986 Seriously Injured 25 January Upminster Eastern — 19 February Greenwich Southern — 2 March Broadstairs Southern — 4 April London Bridge Southern — 5 April Pangbourne Western — 23 May Victoria Southern — 26 May Datchet Southern 455 EMU (sliding doors) 26 May Boreham Eastern — 14 July Goring Station Western — 15 August Redruth Viaduct Western — 16 August Church Fenton/Peckfield Eastern — 13 September Rhosneiger Station/Ty-Croes London Midland — 27 September Chorley Station London Midland — 7 November Kelvedon Eastern — 7 November Pontypool Station Western — 1986 Minor Injuries 3 January Windsor Station Southern — 17 January Purley Oaks/South Croydon Southern — 8 March Markinch Station Scottish — 13 March Gloucester Station Western — 7 April Bodmin Parkway Western — 14 May Cambourne Station Western — 14 July Newton Abbott Station Western — under the aegis of ECAC into the effects of aircraft emissions in the upper atmosphere. Results from the study of water vapour in the upper atmosphere referred to in the White Paper on the Environment are expected in the near future.