Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 8 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 February 2001. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 15 February 2001 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research his Department has commissioned into the factors considered by consumers when choosing whether to buy standard unleaded petrol or low sulphur petrol. - (Holding answer 13 February 2001).

Answer: Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned into the factors considered by consumers when choosing whether to buy standard unleaded petrol or low sulphur petrol. [150111] Mr. Hill: [holding answer 13 February 2001]: My Department has not commissioned any specific research into consumer purchasing decisions concerning cleaner specifications of petrol. However, market research by oil companies and consumer organisations--confirmed by the experience of introducing ultra-low sulphur diesel-- indicates that most road users will not choose a cleaner specification of fuel if it has a higher retail price then the conventional specification.

Secondary information