To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to reduce harmful emissions from vehicle exhausts.

The Government are to introduce two new measures prescribing even stricter limits on emissions of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter from motor vehicles. The first will apply to all types of new petrol-engined cars and light vans from 31 December 1992. The second, which applies to new heavy diesels is a two-stage measure commencing on 1 October 1993, with a further reduction on 1 October 1996. These measures set ambitious targets with a challenging but industrially realistic timetable, putting the United Kingdom on a course for substantial longer-term progress in improving the quality of air in our towns and cities.