§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has conducted into changes in pollution following the introduction of congestion taxes. [811]
§ Mr. MeacherA number of local authorities are developing proposals to introduce charging schemes to tackle congestion problems in their area, but implementation of schemes will generally take a number of years and none has yet started. I understand that the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions will be working with authorities introducing any such schemes to assess their overall impacts, including any changes in levels of air pollution.