§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will oppose the provisions of the EC directive on vapour recovery, stage 1, which call for the ending of dipsticks as the principal method of measuring quantities of petrol in storage and road tankers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoThe proposed EC directive will introduce a system of petrol vapour recovery which is not compatible with the use of dipsticks because they cause emissions of vapour. It is therefore appropriate for the dipstick to be phased out as a means of measurement on road tankers. However, the Government have secured an agreement which allows existing road tankers to continue using dipsticks, and allows a satisfactory period to agree an alternative standard measuring system for new tankers.