I am writing in response to the committee's inquiry into HMG's Transport Policy. Although we recognise that much of the substance will appear in the subsequent daughter directives.

  As a transport user and a provider of fuels and other services to the transport sector, BP made the attached submission to the government last November as part of the pre-consultation process. The views and suggestions expressed in that paper are still valid. Since November we have further developed our involvement in transport issues, e.g., participating in road pricing studies and launching better quality fuels.

  We support the White Paper as an important step along the path towards regeneration and effective management of the UK transport infrastructure. It is a complicated subject which must balance freedom of mobility with environmental impact and other societal trade-offs. BP has taken a stance on environmental issues and wishes to support the government in its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of transport, thereby facilitating better mobility with less environmental damage.

   Our view is that the effectiveness of the White Paper will depend on the detail in the daughter directives and subsequent legislation. We look forward to commenting on these documents when they are published.

John G Mumford

Chief Executive

2 October 1998