Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to bring forward legislative proposals to make the manipulation of emissions data a criminal offence attracting (a) custodial sentences and (b) financial penalties.

The Government recently consulted on proposals to strengthen the penalties available for the use of prohibited defeat devices. The details of our proposals are set out in this consultation document -https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/road-vehicles-improving-air-quality-and-safety. We are now considering the responses to decide how to proceed.