asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the design of lorries in order to make them less detrimental to the environment.

Negotiations in the EEC to secure reductions in the permitted noise levels of heavy lorries and other vehicles are almost complete. I hope that the agreement on new limits, which will apply from 1980 and 1982, will be accompanied by a commitment to seek further reductions. The prescribed limits regarding the emission of diesel smoke are adequate in themselves, but we are working with manufacturers and operators to improve procedures for maintenance and inspection.