§ 23. Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he plans to introduce to reduce the environmental impact of transport.
§ Mr. MacGregorFrom the end of this year most new cars will require catalytic converters to meet tighter EC emissions standards. The United Kingdom Government continue to press for even tighter emissions and noise standards for vehicles and to discuss with other member states and the Commission measures to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars.
From 1 August 1993, certain existing vehicles over 16 tonnes will be required to have speed limiters. This measure complements the introduction of speed limiters for new heavy goods vehicles on 1 August 1992 and will improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.
The MOT emissions check introduced for cars in November 1991 is helping to reduce exhaust emissions. Since 1 September there has been a metered smoke test in the annual test for heavy diesels. A similar test for light vans and diesel cars shortly will be included for the first time in the MOT test from 1 January 1993.
We are working on a number of other initiatives for 1992–93, including the publication of an updated manual of environmental appraisal. The White Paper "This Common Inheritance—The Second Year Report" gives further information about our work to reduce the impact of transport on the environment.