Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to recent research on pollution particles potentially triggering Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases, whether his Department has re-assessed the potential merits of measures to expand the use of electric-powered public transport.

The Government is committed to a move towards zero emission road transport. This includes cars as well as other vehicles, such as buses. Our £30m Low Emission Bus Scheme is funding the delivery of over 320 Low Emission Buses – of which 86 are fully electric buses – from 2016 to 2019. A further £3.2m worth of supporting infrastructure will be funded under the scheme.

The Departments for Transport and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are working closely with the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, the Department for Health and Public Health England to consider all evidence on the medical impacts of air pollution. Our daily air quality forecasts provide health messages to the public based on the expertise of Public Health England.