HC Deb 30 June 1994 vol 245 cc700-1W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the introduction of a remote sensing system to measure vehicle emissions.

Mr. Key

The Department of Transport has been undertaking research on a remote sensing emissions analyser developed with the aim of detecting "gross polluters" as they pass through a beam crossing the carriageway. Results so far are, however, disappointing and we see no immediate prospects of using such a device as means of assessing vehicle emissions.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to improve and encourage proper levels of vehicle maintenance to reduce emissions.

Mr. Key

The Government have already adopted a number of measures. Since September 1992, heavy diesel-powered vehicles have been required to meet specified smoke limits based on an instrumented test carried out at the annual inspection. The test was extended to diesel cars and other light vehicles from February this year as a requirement of the MOT test. For petrol vehicles, the MOT test has included checks on CO and hydrocarbons since November 1991. I shall be consulting shortly on new regulations that will tighten the limits for all vehicles in line with the EC roadworthiness directive 92/55/EEC.

The Department regularly issues publications advising motorists and vehicle operators on the need for good maintenance and other measures that will reduce emissions.

In the longer term, the Department is pressing the European Commission to introduce a requirement for "on-board" diagnostic systems for post-2000 vehicles that will warn the driver in the event of a malfunction of the emissions control system and prompt him to seek immediate repairs. Such a system could be highly effective not only in promoting rapid repairs but in permitting more effective roadside and annual enforcement of emissions standards.

London underground fire and smoke incidents between 1 January 1994 and 28 May 1994
Period 11 Period.12 Period.13 Period 1 Period.2
1 January 1994 to 29 January 1994 30 January 1994 to 26 February 1994 27 February 1994 to 31 March 1994 1 April 1994 to 30 April 1994 1 May 1994 to 28 May 1994
Category A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C
Bakerloo 1 1 19 0 0 17 0 2 19 3 0 14 0 0 9
Central 1 4 14 1 5 22 2 3 21 0 2 15 3 0 9
Circle/H and C 0 0 6 0 0 13 0 0 5 1 0 4 0 1 12
District 1 2 8 0 1 6 0 4 12 1 1 15 1 4 8
Jubilee/ELL 0 1 2 1 2 2 1 0 6 1 0 2 2 4 6
Metropolitan 0 1 8 0 2 15 2 2 14 0 0 14 1 3 7
Northern 0 0 17 3 1 18 3 4 22 2 1 21 1 2 19
Piccadilly 0 0 27 0 1 23 0 0 16 0 1 17 0 0 16
Victoria 0 1 12 0 0 13 0 0 11 0 0 4 0 0 7

Notes:

H and C= Hammersmith and City Line; ELL=East London Line.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London Underground line and for each four-week period