HC Deb 29 February 1996 vol 272 c634W
Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for he Environment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the level of pollutants emitted by city diesel fuel. [17666]

Mr. Clappison

A programme of field trials of alternative fuels, including city diesel, was set up by the Department of Transport, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in March 1994. The trials are assessing the emissions performance, energy consumption and economics of vans and buses using a number of alternative fuels. All vehicles in the trials are to be monitored in-service and up to 22 vans and 26 buses are to be emissions tested using driving cycles which best represent the real world in-service operating conditions for these vehicles. A final report of the project is expected in early 1997.