§ Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about ozone levels affecting Tyneside on 4 May. [24021]
§ Mr. AtkinsThe reported "poor" ozone levels recorded at Newcastle on 4 May between 2 and 3 am were not real levels but due to a technical fault in the analyser, which is currently being corrected by our contractor.
§ Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure that British cities do not exceed World Health Organisation guidelines for low-level ozone concentrations. [24022]
§ Mr. AtkinsOzone is a transboundary pollutant, and reductions of ozone concentrations to WHO guideline levels in Europe will not be possible by any one country acting in isolation. The Government believes that harmonised action at an international level is necessary to ensure cost-effective reductions in ozone levels. The Government are pressing for such action in the appropriate international fora.