Chamber
Plenary, 19 Jan 2000
19 Jan 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Air Quality Strategy
I will take the consensual route yet further by saying that Murray Tosh's comments on vehicle emissions are highly appropriate, in the sense that one of the ways in which we can improve our air quality is to improve the standards that are applied to new vehicles. There is an EU agreement on that, which will bring about real improvements in air quality. However, we cannot be complacent.
A number of initiatives are taking place across government—the power-shift initiative, in which we invest resources, is a good example. I have visited one or two demonstration projects to see the cars and vans that are out and about. The initiative encourages private companies to change over to more innovative fuels such as LPG, and to use low-sulphur and electric vehicles. The Scottish Executive uses a number of such vehicles for its own transport and is encouraging their wider use.
We need to make people aware that such choices are becoming available. A good way to do that is by using the Government's advertising capability and power to raise awareness. We need the facilities to enable us to fill up those vehicles with innovative fuels; that key issue is under consideration by the Executive and the UK Government.
Catalytic converters and the reduction and elimination of lead in petrol are good examples of how vehicle technology has improved. It is critical to look for the areas in which most impact can be made, as fast as possible. This air quality strategy allows us to monitor that.
A number of initiatives are taking place across government—the power-shift initiative, in which we invest resources, is a good example. I have visited one or two demonstration projects to see the cars and vans that are out and about. The initiative encourages private companies to change over to more innovative fuels such as LPG, and to use low-sulphur and electric vehicles. The Scottish Executive uses a number of such vehicles for its own transport and is encouraging their wider use.
We need to make people aware that such choices are becoming available. A good way to do that is by using the Government's advertising capability and power to raise awareness. We need the facilities to enable us to fill up those vehicles with innovative fuels; that key issue is under consideration by the Executive and the UK Government.
Catalytic converters and the reduction and elimination of lead in petrol are good examples of how vehicle technology has improved. It is critical to look for the areas in which most impact can be made, as fast as possible. This air quality strategy allows us to monitor that.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The first item of business this afternoon is the statement by Sarah Boyack on the air quality strategy. The minister will take questions at the end of her st...
The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack):
Lab
Everyone has a right to expect that the quality of the air that we breathe will not be detrimental to our health and our quality of life. However, poor air q...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I remind members that I would like short questions—not statements.
Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
The Scottish National party welcomes the minister's statement. I have never given great credence to consensus politics, but this is an area in which we can w...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I am nervous that consensus might be breaking out, but Kenny MacAskill's points are important in relation to the whole issue of particulates. The information...
Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
As a much more consensual politician than Kenny MacAskill—indeed, as a much more reasonable person in every way than Kenny MacAskill—I also welcome the minis...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I will take the consensual route yet further by saying that Murray Tosh's comments on vehicle emissions are highly appropriate, in the sense that one of the ...
Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD):
LD
The temptation to break this consensual approach is nearly too much for me. Has the minister considered the evidence that was presented by Friends of the Ear...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Tavish Scott referred to the figures that Friends of the Earth discussed this week. I will comment in particular on the figures relating to ozone. The ozone ...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
Again, I do not want to break the flow of consensual politics from my colleagues on the Transport and the Environment Committee, Kenny MacAskill, Murray Tosh...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I talked about that with the transport commissioner when I was in Europe a couple of months ago. In the past few weeks, there have been experiments in Italy ...
Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab):
Lab
I wish to ask the minister about air quality problems that are caused by sources other than transport. What are the key problems, and what could local author...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Monitoring through the air quality management process enables local authorities to pick up on the key local problems. That is a critical way in which to brin...
Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab):
Lab
The minister has every reason to be delighted with her visit to the Transport and the Environment Committee this morning. She left everyone in a state of con...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
It is not compulsory.
Helen Eadie:
Lab
How does the minister propose to use the measurements of air quality that are being taken by local authorities to inform some of her other deliberations, on ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I do not think that we will ask the minister to deal with transport questions. Please stick to the subject, minister.
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
That was an extremely creative question. I look forward to an outbreak of consensus when I introduce my transport proposals. The local authority measurements...
Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I seek further clarification from the minister. Given that carbon dioxide is a major pollutant and that SEPA has identified the need to tackle carbon dioxide...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
The principal reason why carbon dioxide is not a key part of the strategy is that we are already working towards meeting other requirements on carbon dioxide...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
Given the strong causal link between traffic congestion and air pollution, will the minister consider linking air pollution targets with targets for tackling...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
It is not only people who live in congested areas who are affected by the pollution caused by traffic congestion. One of the main groups of people affected a...
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
This afternoon, we are in danger of a bit of hot air pollution, with the overworking of piteous little clichés, such as joined-up government, strategy, conse...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Following correspondence with Margaret Curran, I am also aware of her interest in the matter. I know that Dorothy-Grace Elder has raised it before. We need t...
Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
Can the minister comment on the importance of the nuclear industry in controlling the output of noxious gases?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
The prime issue for the nuclear industry is more one of safety, rather than the smells—
Phil Gallie:
Con
I was referring to the output of noxious gases from other forms of fuel generation.
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Nuclear power is dealt with by a series of management practices. SEPA is the main authority dealing with it in Scotland. It does not come under the air quali...