§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of pollution from diesel exhaust emissions of buses one year old up to seven years old.
§ Mr. FreemanNo assessment has been made which specifically addresses pollution arising from buses. However, the Department has an extensive research programme looking at control technology and other measures to reduce emissions. In the light of the results of this research, the Government will consider the need for a feasibility of establishing emission requirements for specific categories of vehicles, for example buses, operating in the urban environment.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of buses currently in580W operation which are not controlled by European Community legislation on account of the age of the vehicle.
§ Mr. FreemanThere is currently no European Community legislation relating specifically to the construction of buses, although buses are affected by a number of EC directives setting technical standards for various aspects of motor vehicles. We have no estimate of the number of buses affected, which will depend on the precise requirements of the many directives in question, the date on which they came into effect and the manner in which they are applied in United Kingdom law.