§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list(a) the organisations and people who form the British Standards Technical Sub Committee PTI/2/1, (b) the dates on which the Committee has met to date in 1999 and (c) the planned meeting dates for the remainder of 1999; [80466]
(2) what active chemical elements are being considered for use with a British Standard for lead replacement; what concentration of these chemical elements were recommended by the British Standards Technical Sub Committee; and what is the ranking of the performance of these elements relative to lead; [80468]
(3) what analysis has been made of motor vehicle engine wear and tear identified in Sweden since the introduction and use of lead replacement petrol; [80469]
(4) what has prevented the agreement of a British Standard for lead replacement petrol to date; [80467]
(5) what progress is being made to agree a British Standard for lead replacement petrol; and if he will make a statement. [80464]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWhilst it is not a prerequisite to the introduction of lead replacement petrol (LRP), a draft British Standard for LRP is being progressed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) Technical Sub-Committee. PTI/2/1. The BSI suspended work on the standard for approximately one year pending a legal action which was resolved towards the end of last year.
72WReorganisation Transitional Relief Grant in 1999–2000 and figures for the amount of Council Tax Benefit that the authorities expect to provide during the year are not yet available.
PTI/2/1 recommenced their work on 30 November 1998, and has since had three further meetings: on 18 January, 2 March and 7 April 1999. No further meetings have currently been scheduled.
BSI do not publish the names of individuals attending their committee meetings, who are present to represent the associations to which they are affiliated. On PTI/2/1 these include the Association of UK Oil Independents, Automobile Association, Chemical Industries Association, Freight Transport Association, Institute of Petroleum, Petrol Retailers Association, Royal Automobile Club, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, UK Petroleum Industry Association, as well as officials from DETR, DTI and MOD.
In reviewing the comments received following public consultation on the preliminary draft Standard for LRP issued last year, which included consideration of the early problems in Sweden associated with LRP, it was decided that the use of sodium as one of the active chemical elements be dropped from the Standard. The Standard will now include only potassium, phosphorus and, as a result of recent technical data as to its effectiveness as a valve seat lubricant, manganese. The recommended concentrations of each additive is in the process of being finalised, but this work is well advanced and it is anticipated that the standard for LRP will be published shortly.
All of the additives currently being considered by PTI/2/1 are broadly similar in performance at similar mass concentration levels, although the maximum dosage levels and normal dosage levels will vary in order to avoid side effects on other engine components and take into account experience gained on other markets. While no additive has been shown to provide the same level of engine protection as lead under extreme engine operating conditions, in terms of the effectiveness of LRP, there is ample evidence to demonstrate that it is a satisfactory, and greener, alternative to leaded four-star petrol; and that owners of older cars will be able to switch seamlessly to this fuel for normal everyday motoring.