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Vehicle Emissions
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of reducing the sulphur content of petrol and diesel on vehicle emissions of pollutants. [1879]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Department has not commissioned any research specifically aimed at determining the impact of the sulphur content of fuel on vehicle emissions since a number of studies have been carried out by a range of organisations that already enable assessments to be made. A comprehensive study was carried out by the European automotive and oil industries as an element of the Auto-Oil study undertaken by the European Commission. This has lead to proposals for
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tighter fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards to come into effect from the year 2000. The studies show that sulphur can have an adverse effect on vehicle pollutants arising primarily through its detrimental effect on catalyst efficiency. For petrol vehicles fitted with catalytic convertors reductions in CO, HC and NOx can be achieved when using reduced sulphur fuels. For diesel vehicles, reduced sulphur fuel can lead to a reduction in particulate emissions, but the effect is enhanced in vehicles fitted with catalysts by reducing sulphate formation within the catalyst.
Dr. Brand:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the subsidies currently provided by his Department to each of the United Kingdom's island communities in respect of their ferry services. [1769]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions does not currently provide subsidies for ferry services to island communities.
Mr. David Heath:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what priority his Department affords the proposed A359 to A303 slip road at Sparkford; and when he expects construction to begin. [1565]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The A359 to A303 westbound slip road and connection is to be progressed as a Regional improvement and part of the Highways Agency's Network Enhancement Programme. It will be subject to the normal statutory procedures, including a public inquiry if there are objections to the draft Orders.
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