§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) buses and (b) taxis were retrofitted to use LPG through the Powershift programme (i) before 1 January 2000 and (ii) during 2000; and if he will make a statement regarding targets for 2001 and beyond. [146627]
§ Mr. HillBefore 1 January 2000, the Powershift programme supported the conversion of 55 buses and five minicabs to operate on LPG. During 2000 Powershift supported the conversion of 37 buses and 57 minicabs.
The Clean Up Programme, which is administered on my Department's behalf by the Energy Saving Trust, has part funded the conversion of 10 black taxis to run on LPG and will be supporting the conversion of approximately 130 black cabs in the current financial year.
My Department and the Energy Saving Trust will issue a consultation document in the spring seeking views on the future scope and direction of the Powershift programme. It will discuss a range of options for targeting the programme's resources over the next three years to secure environmental benefits and to support the development of the wider market for alternative fuel vehicles. The outcome of the consultation will inform the setting of future targets for the conversion of specific vehicle types.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received requesting the broadening of the eligibility criteria for the Powershift programme in respect of older vehicles. [146633]
§ Mr. HillMy Department has received a number of representations from MPs and individuals about why the Powershift programme only provides grants towards the conversion to gas of vehicles less than one year old.
The rationale for restricting grants to relatively new vehicles is that the ultimate aim of Powershift is to encourage vehicle manufacturers to manufacture production line gas vehicles rather than the after-market conversions that currently dominate the market. Not only will the objective of cleaning up vehicles be achieved more cheaply with production-line vehicles than after-market conversions, but their emissions performance should also be better.
My Department also sponsors the Energy Saving Trust's Clean Up programme that aims to reduce emissions from existing vehicles operating in urban areas. The programme includes targeted projects to fit emission reduction technologies and to convert older vehicles to run on alternative fuels, including LPG, where it proves cost effective and environmentally beneficial to do so. An example of Clean Up support for conversions of older vehicles is the conversion of a pilot fleet of 10 London black cabs to run on LPG.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's contribution to funding for the Powershift programme was in each of the last three financial years and in the current year. [146629]
735W
§ Mr. HillIn 1997–98 the Government contributed £0.6 million towards the Powershift programme. This figures rose in the next two years to £2.2 million and £3.3 million respectively. Funding for the current financial year stands at £9.9 million for expenditure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In addition the Scottish Executive are providing a total of £0.5 million for Powershift activities in Scotland in the current year.