HC Deb 21 October 1992 vol 212 cc294-5W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the initiatives relating to environmental protection taken by his Department since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development; and what further proposals he plans for 1992–93.

Mr. MacGregor

Speed limiters for new heavy goods vehicles were introduced on 1 August. Certain existing vehicles over 16 tonnes will be required to have speed limiters from 1 August 1993. These measures will improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

On 1 September a metered smoke test was introduced into the annual roadworthiness test for heavy goods vehicles. A similar test will be introduced for diesel engined cars and light vans from 1 January 1993.

From 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.

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.