Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether

HC Deb 03 April 2000 vol 347 cc324-5W

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what

information he has collated on the manufacture in the United Kingdom of methyl tertiary butyl ether; when he expects the Environment Agency to complete its research project on the incidence of methyl tertiary butyl ether; and if this report will be published. [116237]

Mrs. Liddell

I have been asked to reply.

It is estimated that about 90,000 tonnes of MTBE was manufactured in the UK in 1999, although not all of this was blended into petrol. The research undertaken by the Environment Agency will provide information on the incidences of MTBE in groundwater in England and Wales and should also provide further information on the amount of MTBE and other oxygenates used in petrol. The results of the research are due to be published in the summer.