§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the research papers he has commissioned on the possible link between motor car pollution and asthma; and if he will make a statement concerning the risk of asthma in respect of children at roadside level.
§ Mr. KeyThe Department of Health's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants has appointed a sub-group to examine the evidence of links between air pollution and asthma. The sub-group is due to report around the end of this year.
While links between air pollution and the incidence of asthma are not yet proven, there is evidence that pollution from vehicles can worsen symptoms for existing asthmatics. The Government have taken stringent measures to reduce emissions from vehicles, so that levels of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulates are expected to fall significantly in future years.