§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on emissions of carcinogens from road vehicles of(a) company car tax, (b) other vehicle taxation and (c) fuel tax;. [132836]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact on emissions of oxides of nitrogen from road vehicles of (a) company car tax, (b) other vehicle taxation and (c) fuel tax. [132840]
§ John HealeyThe Government has incorporated tax differentials into the company car tax, vehicle excise duty and fuel duty regimes to facilitate the use of alternative fuels and cleaner technologies to improve air quality.
Much of the reduction in pollution from road transport results from tougher emissions standards for new vehicles. The tax system provides some incentives for the earlier take-up of cleaner vehicles, as well as incentives for switching to less-polluting fuels and technologies.
Transport taxation is also intended to encourage the use of more fuel-efficient cars with lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Key air pollutants, including carcinogens, have reduced by around 50 per cent. over the last decade and are forecast to fall by a further 30 per cent. over the next decade. The specific information requested is not available; although further details of emissions of all pollutants from road transport are available from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (www.naei.org.uk).