HC Deb 21 November 2002 vol 394 c284W
27. Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the changes in the levels of air pollution in large cities over the past five years. [81233]

Alun Michael

In general, levels of air pollution in large cities in the UK have reduced over the past five years, largely as a result of reductions in road transport emissions brought about by tighter specifications for new vehicles and fuels. The average number of days of moderate or higher air pollution at air monitoring sites in urban areas reduced from 48 days in 1996 to 21 days in 2001.