To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 951W, on excise duties: motor vehicles, for what reason comprehensive data on the carbon dioxide emissions of light goods vehicles is not available to his Department; and if he will make a statement. (241571)

Carbon dioxide based Vehicle Excise Duty for cars rests on data produced through the European Union-wide system of vehicle type approval. This system does not produce carbon dioxide data for vans.