Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 January 2010.

Air Quality

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government following the European Commission on 11 December not extending the United Kingdom's deadline to comply with air quality laws to 11 June 2011, what action they will take to remedy the situation.

Answer: The Commission decision of 11 December makes clear that further information is needed to demonstrate that compliance with the daily limit values would be achieved in London by 2011. However the decision recognised that additional time to meet the limit values in seven other parts of the UK, and the annual limit value in London was no longer required as those limit values had now been met. We are working with the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority with a view to presenting as soon as practicable evidence which will satisfy the Commission that the limit values in London will be met by 2011.

Secondary information