HC Deb 03 June 1998 vol 313 cc211-2W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the role of the reduction of speed limits as a method of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [43304]

Angela Eagle

We intend to publish this month our Integrated Transport White Paper which will address the whole issue of traffic management and set out our transport policy to help deliver many environmental, economic and social objectives.

The Government are aware that the way speed limits are set and enforced can affect emissions of greenhouse gases and local air pollutants. It is a complex relationship which merits further consideration.

This summer we will launch an open and wide ranging consultation exercise on the sort of measures needed to meet our legally binding Kyoto target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and move towards our domestic aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.