§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to encourage the use of particulate emission control in heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisParticulate emissions control has been a requirement of all new heavy duty goods vehicles and PSVs since 1 October 1993 by virtue of directive 91/542/EEC. This same directive applies further restrictions to apply to all vehicles registered from 1 October 1996. The Department is also working with the Commission to develop yet further controls from 1 October 1999.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research his department is currently undertaking in respect of particulate pollution; and at what cost.
§ Mr. NorrisResearch into air pollution is a matter for the Department of the Environment. Complementary research undertaken by the Department of Transport includes a £1 million joint study, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment and the motor industry, into means of identifying and analysing particulates by size and composition, and establishing typical levels emitted by petrol and diesel vehicles. A second £1.1 million departmental programme, aimed at improving control of particulate emissions from new heavy duty diesel vehicles, is developing an EC type approval test more representative of typical driving conditions. These programmes are in addition to others aimed at improved modelling—£225,000, and data collection—£200,000 per annum on-going, for better forecasting of all transport fleet emissions, including particulates.