Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Monday, 1 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 February 1999. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Monday, 8 February 1999 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 recent discussions he has had with his European Union colleagues on the development of environmentally friendly vehicles by European vehicle producers.

Answer: Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with his European Union colleagues on the development of environmentally friendly vehicles by European vehicle producers. [69093] Ms Glenda Jackson: Significant developments are taking place in Europe on the promotion of environmentally friendly vehicles by European vehicle producers. A number of directives were agreed in 1998, setting future emission standards for cars, vans and vehicles with heavy-duty diesel engines. Last year a voluntary agreement was concluded between the EC and European motor manufacturers, to reduce by 25 per cent. the CO2 emissions from new cars by 2008. When the UK's Cleaner Vehicles Task Force publishes its first report in the coming months, we will wish to discuss its contents with colleagues in Europe. I and my Ministerial colleagues keep in close contact with our European counterparts on these matters. During January my right hon. Friends the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Transport had liaison meetings with the respective Ministers of the new German Government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 69093; 325 c3W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Carbon dioxide Environment protection Industry Exhaust emissions EU action Motor vehicles Pollution control Diesel Cleaner Vehicles Task Force