HC Deb 17 December 1996 vol 287 cc518-9W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the feasibility of reducing the environmental disbenefits of current models of motor car. [9214]

Mr. Bowis

My Department has commissioned a number of research projects aimed at assessing and controlling the environmental impact of current models of cars. These are listed in the table and further details are available on the Department's internet web site at http://www.open.gov.uk/dotkvs/rv-res00.htm. On completion, all projects will be evaluated for cost effectiveness, practicality and, if appropriate, their wider application in an EU context.

Reference Project title
S010E/VB In-service emissions from current fleet
S010K/VB In-service emissions testing of catalyst-equipped vehicles
S360D/VB Detection of vehicles burning lubricating oil
S031J/VB Road and tyre noise: collaboration to reduce tyre noise
S030L/VB In-service noise testing
S026F/VB Diesel smoke test procedures and meter specifications
S260F/VB Vehicle fuel consumption and emissions forecasts
S360B/VB Remote measurement of vehicle emissions
S260H/VB Petrol and diesel emissions factors measurement
S140A/VB Vehicle particulate emissions measurement

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the(a) feasibility and (b) desirability of encouraging industrial innovation to reduce the environmental disbenefits of current models of bus; and if he will make a statement. [9215]

Mr. Watts

There is no doubt that industrial innovation can help to reduce the environmental disbenefits of buses. This has already been demonstrated by the technological advances that are now being applied to new diesel engines in order to meet the tighter emission standards for heavy vehicles, including buses, that came into force on 1 October this year. My Department works closely with both our European partners and the European Commission to develop progressively tighter emissions standards, a strategy which is providing extremely successful in encouraging industrial innovation and results in significant reductions in emissions from all categories of vehicle.