19. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in lowering the average level of emissions per vehicle. (143399)

Voluntary agreements are currently in place requiring the car industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of new cars by around 25 per cent. from 1995 levels (to an average of 140 grammes per kilometre by 2008-09). However, these agreements are unlikely to be met - the 2004 average for the EU was 163g/km. The Commission is now proposing mandatory new car CO₂ targets and the UK supports this approach.