Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will introduce real-world emissions testing of vehicles.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport undertook real-world emissions testing of Euro 5 and 6 diesel cars and the results were published in the Vehicle Emissions Testing report in April 2016. Further real-world emissions testing of other vehicle types is being undertaken by the Market Surveillance Unit and will be published later this year. Additionally, the government has been at the forefront of calls for the introduction of tougher emissions testing at a European level and the new Real Driving Emissions tests will come into force for all new car models from September this year.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will make it its policy to ensure that all diesel vehicles are fitted with diesel particulate filters.
Answered by John Hayes
Particulate filters have been fitted to all new diesel cars and vans to comply with the emissions limits set out in the Euro 5 and 6 standards (from 2009 onwards). New heavy duty diesel vehicles have also been fitted with particulate filters since the Euro VI standards were introduced in 2013.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will introduce a diesel scrappage scheme.
Answered by John Hayes
In light of both updated information on real world emissions from diesel vehicles and the High Court judgement last year, we will be publishing a revised air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide shortly. The consultation will address the measures needed to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to meet the 2050 emissions reduction target.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government remains committed to tackling climate change and meeting the target set out in the Climate Change Act to reduce emissions by at least 80% on 1990 levels. Our emissions reduction plan will set out how we will reduce emissions through the 2020s across all sectors – including transport – and send an important signal to the markets, businesses and investors.
Our aim of nearly all cars and vans being zero emission vehicles by 2050 is particularly important in reducing transport emissions. We will set out our long term strategy for promoting this transition to zero emission road transport within the next 12 months.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the cost to business of the closure of the West Coast Main Line between Glasgow and Carlisle.
Answered by Claire Perry
Network Rail and the relevant passenger and freight train operators have been working collaboratively since the closure to provide the best practicable alternative travel options for the traffic which uses this part of the West Coast Main Line with the aim of minimising the adverse impact on users.