Date set for Mayor’s air quality inquiry appearance

The Mayor of London will appear alongside advisor before parliamentary committee next month to give evidence on tackling air pollution

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson will appear before a parliamentary committee next month to give evidence on tackling air pollution, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has confirmed.

On September 10, Mr Johnson will attend a committee hearing in Westminster alongside his environmental and energy advisor Matthew Pencharz to give oral evidence as part of the EAC’s inquiry into air pollution in the UK, which was launched in May 2014.

The London Mayor, Boris Johnson, will appear at the EAC inquiry on September 10

The Mayor backed down in June and agreed to provide evidence to the Inquiry in person after previously stating it was “impossible” for him to do so due to “significant diary pressures” (see airqualitynews.com story). https://airqualitynews.com/2014/06/02/london-mayor-backs-down-on-inquiry-appearance/

Immediately following Mr Johnson’s appearance, Sheffield city councillor and cabinet member for the environment, Jack Scott, will then also provide evidence at the hearing session.

According to the EAC, the session on Wednesday September 10 will cover the role of local authorities in tackling air pollution, including the Mayor of London’s air quality manifesto, which was launched last month (see airqualitynews.com story).

Mr Johnson’s manifesto includes measures such as charging diesel drivers a £10 low emission zone fee, launching an air quality public awareness campaign and expanding London’s electric bus fleet.

Speaking at the launch on July 29 2014, the Mayor said the manifesto measures would bring the capital “two thirds” of the way towards compliance with EU nitrogen dioxide limits by 2020.

Mr Johnson’s September 10 appearance will form part of the third hearing session held by the EAC as part of the inquiry, after the experts were grilled on the UK’s air pollution in June (see airqualityews.com story).

European Commission lawyer Marco Gasparinetti also appeared before the committee in July, stating that Europe was “lagging behind” the USA and Japan on particulate matter legislation (see airqualitynews.com story).