§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated number of all categories of motor vehicles in the United Kingdom, together with the estimated percentage of them equipped with catalytic converters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyThe distribution and volume of the United Kingdom vehicle fleet is set out in full in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1993". The latest information on the total volumes of licenced vehicles up to the end of September 1993 is included in the following table.
Total licensed vehicles End September 1993 Thousands Taxation class Total Petrol Diesel Other Private and light goods 22,371.5 20,249.6 2,120.7 4.8 Of which: Private cars 20,157.3 19,040.7 1,113.1 3.5 Motor cycles 713.2 712.4 0.7 0.1 Goods vehicles 430.3 15.8 414.4 0.0 Public transport vehicles 107.8 7.2 100.6 0.0 Agricultural machines 319.9 7.8 310.1 2.0 Other vehicles 56.1 39.8 16.2 0.0 Exempt vehicles 961.8 766.3 163.7 31.7 ALL VEHICLES 24,964.2 21,798.9 3,126.5 38.8 The precise number of vehicles fitted with catalytic converters is not known, but is estimated at approximately 2.5 million or 13 per cent. of the total licensed passenger car fleet, excluding diesel cars. Catalysts are also optionally offered on some diesel car models and some motor cycles, but the numbers licensed are likely to be negligible.