To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are seeking a time extension from the European Union for complying with European Union limiting values for particulate matter 10 and nitrogen dioxide in London. [HL5354]

EU air quality limits are already met across 99 per cent of the UK (land area). For the very small parts of the UK where limit values are not yet met, roadside locations in our most densely populated urban areas, including London, present the greatest challenge. Right across the EU, new vehicle engine standards have not delivered improvements as quickly as was anticipated. Furthermore, our understanding of the way in which emissions relate to measured concentrations of air pollutants has developed, showing that earlier projections for improvement were over estimated. For these, and other possible reasons which are currently being investigated, ambient air quality concentrations have not fallen in line with emission reductions.

Therefore, the UK, like most other member states, is using the provisions under Directive 2008/50/EC on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe to secure from the European Commission the additional time available to meet the limit values for particulate matter (PM₁₀) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The additional time will enable current and planned measures to take effect. Subject to agreement by the European Commission, the directive permits an extension for PM10 to 2011, and for NO2 postponement of the attainment date to 2015.

To ask Her Majesty's Government which local authorities in Greater London are in breach of the requirement to declare an Air Quality Management Area for all places within their area where European Union limit values for any particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide or other named regulated air pollutants are not likely to be achieved. [HL5358]

Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas. Where a local authority considers that one or more of the air quality objectives, as prescribed in regulations, is unlikely to be met by the required date, it must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) covering the area where the problem is expected. It must then draw up an action plan setting out the measures it intends to take in pursuit of the air quality objectives in the area.

A list of those Greater London boroughs that have declared an AQMA, including details of the pollutants concerned, is shown below. A full list of UK AQMAs is available from the UK Air Quality Archive at www.airquality.co.uk.