§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the use in diesel trains of low-sulphur diesel; what percentage of diesel trains use low-sulphur diesel; and if he will make a statement. [155415]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 set a maximum sulphur limit of 0.1 per cent. which will come into effect in 2008. Currently the maximum permissible level is 0.2 per cent. Diesel trains on the UK network operate on gas oil, which typically has a sulphur content of 0.15 per cent. The Strategic Rail Authority is planning a summit of rail industry bodies to manage a transition to low sulphur gas oil.