13i11 to Fight Diesel Fumes?
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FROM OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT RUPERT SPEIR, the Tory M.P. for Hexham, Northumberland, will ask the Commons next Wednesday for leave to bring in a Private Member's Bill e new measures to be taken to abate the emission of diesel fumes from vehicles. Slack's measure, if accepted, will seek to give the Transport Minister powers to fy the volume of dark smoke emission beyond which an offence would be a I0-minute speech to Parliament before public business, he will argue that 960 Road Traffic Act permits the Minister to take powers to make regulations t diesel exhaust smoke, His Bill would enable the Minister to specify what itutes an offence, and allow the use of smoke meters.
mderstand that Mr. Speir also proposes that police should have the authority induct tests on suspected vehicles, and that diesel-engined vehicles should be ed to use additives to reduce the amount of smoke emitted.
also proposes that it should be compulsory for heavy commercial vehicles to vertical exhausts, discharging their fumes at a height not less than 7 ft. 6 in. ldition, his Bill would enable the Minister to specify that diesel vehicles should :ted with a device on the exhaust to reduce smoke emission.
Speir will have 10 minutes in which to argue his belief that such a Bill is sary. If any M.P. wishes to oppose, he will also be allowed 10 minutes' debating then the vote is taken. If the House agrees, the Bill will come forward in torrnal way, but there is no guarantee that it will proceed on the Commons able, Speir has the support of M.P.s from both sides of the House, but Mr. Marples Mr. R. A. Butler, the Home Secretary, will want to examine it very carefully e committing the Government to legislation.