Petrol Additives

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Environment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 5 December 1973.

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Photo of Mr Phillip Whitehead Mr Phillip Whitehead , Derby North 12:00, 5 December 1973

Is it a fact, as some newspapers have reported, that the regulations are being relaxed because of the petrol shortage? Would not this be regrettable in view of the alarming statistics which are now coming forward about lead levels in the blood of people living near urban motorways, particularly at Gravelly Hill in Birmingham where the levels have doubled? Is it also a fact that automobile engines do not need lead in petrol if the petrol is properly refined? Ought we not now to be urging the manufacturers to make petrol safer, and not simply assume that in present circumstances any petrol is good petrol?