§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of cars are fitted with catalytic converters. [39890]
§ Mr. NorrisThe last assessment of the percentage of cars fitted with three-way catalytic converters was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 17 July,Official Report, column 877. The number estimated at that time was equivalent to 21.85 per cent. of the total passenger car fleet which numbered 22.2 million at the end of 1994.
Since all new petrol-engined passenger cars must now be fitted with three-way catalytic converters the percentage will continue to rise.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the ozone level of the use of catalytic converters in vehicles. [39891]
§ Mr. NorrisThe third report of the United Kingdom photochemical review oxidants group, which advises the Secretary of State for the Environment, states that the
3—way automotive catalyst is the best currently available technology for control of emissions of CO, VOCs and NOx from petrol engine vehicles".The report discusses in detail the likely effect of this control on levels of ozone in the air. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.