§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning (i) low emission zones and (ii) the National Air Quality Strategy from(a) road haulage organisations, (b) motoring organisations and (c) motor manufacturers; and if he will make a statement. [99107]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 22 November 1999]: My Department has not received representations on low emission zones, as they are not a Government policy proposal. It is for local authorities, rather than central Government, to decide whether to implement such zones in order to improve local air quality.
111WWe have received approximately 80 responses to the consultation draft of the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which we published on 25 August. Most of these were from local authorities, but we did receive a response from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT). Copies of the non-confidential responses received will be made available in the libraries of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland). A list of responses will also be placed in the House Libraries when the final version of the Strategy is published in January next year. A summary of the responses will also be made available in January on the Department's Website. The objectives proposed in the draft Air Quality Strategy have also been discussed at meetings of the Air Quality Forum, at which the AA, SMMT and the Freight Transport Association were present.
Road transport is one of the major sources of air pollution, especially in our towns and cities. However, we have made clear within the Strategy and in our guidance to local authorities that the relative contribution of transport, and all other sectors, to the achievement of meeting the new air quality objectives has to be cost effective and proportionate.