§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what guidance he has given to car manufacturers on the future for LPG cars; [9939]
(2) what recent assessment he has made of the potential for LPG cars to improve air quality; [9940]
(3) what plans the Government have to encourage manufacturers to make LPG cars. [9944]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe changes I announced recently to my Department's PowerShift programme, following consultation with vehicle manufacturers, fuel suppliers and others, indicate the Government's strong continuing commitment to supporting the wider introduction of vehicles running on LPG, natural gas and electricity, reflecting their contribution to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Availability of production-line LPG vehicles will help consumers to take up the gas option, and the Government have introduced an additional 20 per cent. grant for production-line LPG vehicles. I am pleased that several manufacturers are already introducing such vehicles.
685WThe PowerShift programme monitors the environmental performance of LPG vehicles to ensure that PowerShift-approved vehicles and conversions deliver consistently clean performance.