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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/oct/12/vw-uk-boss-questioned-by-mps-on-emissions-scandal--live
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Emissions scandal: VW 'deserves to suffer damage', says UK minister – as it happened | Emissions scandal: VW 'deserves to suffer damage', says UK minister – as it happened |
(4 months later) | |
6.42pm BST | |
18:42 | |
To sum up, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin came out strongly, saying Volkswagen behaved appallingly and deserved to suffer substantial damage. | To sum up, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin came out strongly, saying Volkswagen behaved appallingly and deserved to suffer substantial damage. |
He said that so far he was satisfied no other carmaker had used emissions cheating software - although not all of them had yet responded to the government. | He said that so far he was satisfied no other carmaker had used emissions cheating software - although not all of them had yet responded to the government. |
As for VW’s UK boss Paul Higgs, he said 400,000 UK cars would need fuel injectors fixing, with the recalls starting in January. He hoped they would be completed by the end of 2016 but could not guarantee it. | As for VW’s UK boss Paul Higgs, he said 400,000 UK cars would need fuel injectors fixing, with the recalls starting in January. He hoped they would be completed by the end of 2016 but could not guarantee it. |
He said the first car with the default device was sold in the UK in 2008. | He said the first car with the default device was sold in the UK in 2008. |
And he added that it was implausible senior management would have known about the devices. | And he added that it was implausible senior management would have known about the devices. |
But he did not impress some of the committee, with Labour MP Robert Flello saying “[Willis] didn’t seem to know much [about the technical issues] which annoyed me.” | But he did not impress some of the committee, with Labour MP Robert Flello saying “[Willis] didn’t seem to know much [about the technical issues] which annoyed me.” |
On that note, it’s time to close up and say thank you for all your comments. Good evening. | On that note, it’s time to close up and say thank you for all your comments. Good evening. |
6.24pm BST | |
18:24 | |
Here’s some further reading on the diesel scandal and how emissions ran out of control: | Here’s some further reading on the diesel scandal and how emissions ran out of control: |
Related: Emissions scandal: how the drive for diesel ran out of gas | Related: Emissions scandal: how the drive for diesel ran out of gas |
6.14pm BST | |
18:14 | |
Ellman: When will there be further progress? | Ellman: When will there be further progress? |
McLoughlin: Looking for further progress by end of November | McLoughlin: Looking for further progress by end of November |
And with that the session ends. | And with that the session ends. |
6.12pm BST | |
18:12 | |
On recalls and if some people decide not to part: | On recalls and if some people decide not to part: |
McLoughlin: I think most people will want to have their cars recalled. | McLoughlin: I think most people will want to have their cars recalled. |
6.09pm BST | |
18:09 | |
Ellman: Process seems leisurely. When will we see real changes. | Ellman: Process seems leisurely. When will we see real changes. |
McLoughlin: If these devices were illegal in 1998 and company continued to use or started using them again, these are serious issues. We are only in the early stages. | McLoughlin: If these devices were illegal in 1998 and company continued to use or started using them again, these are serious issues. We are only in the early stages. |
6.06pm BST | |
18:06 | |
Ellman: In 2013 Advertising Standard Authority ruled against Audi on false claims on fuel usage. Did that not send alarm bells about the independence of the testing process? | Ellman: In 2013 Advertising Standard Authority ruled against Audi on false claims on fuel usage. Did that not send alarm bells about the independence of the testing process? |
Higgs: that could have been approved by another member state. We may not have been the authority for that particular issue. | Higgs: that could have been approved by another member state. We may not have been the authority for that particular issue. |
6.04pm BST | |
18:04 | |
Louise Ellman: Is VCA too close to manufacturers? | Louise Ellman: Is VCA too close to manufacturers? |
VCA’s Paul Higgs: during 40 years have been regulator and also requirement to support UK motor industry which is sizeable. Manufacturers have to understand standards. | VCA’s Paul Higgs: during 40 years have been regulator and also requirement to support UK motor industry which is sizeable. Manufacturers have to understand standards. |
We are paid by fees, set by legislation, we are required to cover costs of statutory function. So normal in this environment to charge industry for those fees. | We are paid by fees, set by legislation, we are required to cover costs of statutory function. So normal in this environment to charge industry for those fees. |
Is there a conflict? | Is there a conflict? |
Important that manufacturers understand what is required. We only give them an idea of what is required to meet specification or standard. | Important that manufacturers understand what is required. We only give them an idea of what is required to meet specification or standard. |
6.01pm BST | |
18:01 | |
The data car manufacturers publish, in advertisements etc, for average consumer they are meaningless. | The data car manufacturers publish, in advertisements etc, for average consumer they are meaningless. |
McLoughlin: you could say they’re still a guide, but this data is for constant speed of 55. Not sure people drive constantly at 55 miles. | McLoughlin: you could say they’re still a guide, but this data is for constant speed of 55. Not sure people drive constantly at 55 miles. |
When company like VW does something like this, casts a spotlight on whole industry and they have to put it right. | When company like VW does something like this, casts a spotlight on whole industry and they have to put it right. |
Real world testing will I hope go some way to reassuring public they can trust in manufacturers. | Real world testing will I hope go some way to reassuring public they can trust in manufacturers. |
5.57pm BST | |
17:57 | |
Louise Ellman: there are questions over testing and how accurate they are. What are you doing about problems of testing, have been major criticisms of department, when information was available in 2013, perhaps earlier, about discrepencies, department did not appear to act. | Louise Ellman: there are questions over testing and how accurate they are. What are you doing about problems of testing, have been major criticisms of department, when information was available in 2013, perhaps earlier, about discrepencies, department did not appear to act. |
McLoughlin: If test done in home country, approved through whole of Europe. Have to get testing system right, right to push for road testing. | McLoughlin: If test done in home country, approved through whole of Europe. Have to get testing system right, right to push for road testing. |
We’ve sent letters to Commission, discussions taking place. Will be a speedier move as a result of this. | We’ve sent letters to Commission, discussions taking place. Will be a speedier move as a result of this. |
Ian Yarnold: on lab test whole new test by 2017, then new test on road testing and we are in closing stages of agreement and implementation. | Ian Yarnold: on lab test whole new test by 2017, then new test on road testing and we are in closing stages of agreement and implementation. |
5.52pm BST | |
17:52 | |
Huw Merriman, Conservative: Has UK considered large fines to disincentivise this type of practice? | Huw Merriman, Conservative: Has UK considered large fines to disincentivise this type of practice? |
In early stages of finding whats gone on what legal powers are available to us. Various areas we can look at. | In early stages of finding whats gone on what legal powers are available to us. Various areas we can look at. |
Updated | |
at 6.07pm BST | |
5.51pm BST | |
17:51 | |
Conservative Mark Menzies: owners of affected vehicles will not have higher vehicle excise duty but will VW compensate government for any lost tax revenues. | Conservative Mark Menzies: owners of affected vehicles will not have higher vehicle excise duty but will VW compensate government for any lost tax revenues. |
McLoughlin: vehicle excise duty based on carbon emissions...Still considering exactily what to do. | McLoughlin: vehicle excise duty based on carbon emissions...Still considering exactily what to do. |
5.48pm BST | |
17:48 | |
On pollution, these 1.1m VW cars, if they had run as should, what is the difference in pollution? Says up to 40 times in US? | On pollution, these 1.1m VW cars, if they had run as should, what is the difference in pollution? Says up to 40 times in US? |
Department of Transport’s Michael Hurwitz said: We have not yet had information from VW to compare how vehicles do in lab tests compared to real world. | Department of Transport’s Michael Hurwitz said: We have not yet had information from VW to compare how vehicles do in lab tests compared to real world. |
Real issue is that that the lab test is not fit for purpose. Once have run more tests can give more info. | Real issue is that that the lab test is not fit for purpose. Once have run more tests can give more info. |
But on this specific issue, pollution probably up by less than 1%? | But on this specific issue, pollution probably up by less than 1%? |
Yes. | Yes. |
5.44pm BST | |
17:44 | |
McDonald: should there be link between penalties and funding for environmental issues, as a letter sent to you suggested? | McDonald: should there be link between penalties and funding for environmental issues, as a letter sent to you suggested? |
McLoughlin: I havent replied as yet but I will consider issue. | McLoughlin: I havent replied as yet but I will consider issue. |
Updated | |
at 5.44pm BST | |
5.43pm BST | |
17:43 | |
Stewart McDonald says are you planning to take a more rigorous view on software. I’m also concerned VW said first device was in 2008. Does Vehicle Certification Agency have the skills? | Stewart McDonald says are you planning to take a more rigorous view on software. I’m also concerned VW said first device was in 2008. Does Vehicle Certification Agency have the skills? |
Some of the cars were not approved by VCA, but VCA can answer this. | Some of the cars were not approved by VCA, but VCA can answer this. |
We are reacting to a situation which is unacceptable. But we have done more than react, we have been pressing for real world testing. This strengthens the case. | We are reacting to a situation which is unacceptable. But we have done more than react, we have been pressing for real world testing. This strengthens the case. |
Paul Higgs of VCA: | Paul Higgs of VCA: |
If you hide a code in the engine management system, it’s like hiding a virus in a programme. Difficult to find. | If you hide a code in the engine management system, it’s like hiding a virus in a programme. Difficult to find. |
Far simpler to have a test process going forward that would make it difficult for a defeat device to work. | Far simpler to have a test process going forward that would make it difficult for a defeat device to work. |
Updated | |
at 5.43pm BST | |
5.38pm BST | |
17:38 | |
Conservative Will Quince says trust has been shattered but we are supposed to trust them. Should all motor manufacturer open up their software to regulators. | Conservative Will Quince says trust has been shattered but we are supposed to trust them. Should all motor manufacturer open up their software to regulators. |
McLoughlin: We need to move whole dynamic to real world testing. We have been pressing for this for some time. Something like defeat devices would not be applicable under those circumstances. | McLoughlin: We need to move whole dynamic to real world testing. We have been pressing for this for some time. Something like defeat devices would not be applicable under those circumstances. |
But don’t think we should judge whole industry on what one player has been doing. | But don’t think we should judge whole industry on what one player has been doing. |
5.34pm BST | |
17:34 | |
Is he satisfied no other manufacturer has used emissions cheating software? | Is he satisfied no other manufacturer has used emissions cheating software? |
McLoughlin says he is satisfied so far from the responses received from other manufacturers, though some have not yet responded. We expect them by end of month. | McLoughlin says he is satisfied so far from the responses received from other manufacturers, though some have not yet responded. We expect them by end of month. |
Do you accept what they say? | Do you accept what they say? |
Wouldn’t expect any reputable company to deliberately mislead when asked direct questions. | Wouldn’t expect any reputable company to deliberately mislead when asked direct questions. |
But committee might have other questions and we will look at what committee requests. It covers a number of departments, not just transport. | But committee might have other questions and we will look at what committee requests. It covers a number of departments, not just transport. |
5.30pm BST | |
17:30 | |
Labour MP Robert Flello says: Willis says he wasn’t an engineer and didn’t seem to know much which annoyed me. Has Department done any examination of vehicles involved, whether it is software. | Labour MP Robert Flello says: Willis says he wasn’t an engineer and didn’t seem to know much which annoyed me. Has Department done any examination of vehicles involved, whether it is software. |
Not wanting to incur your wrath.. I’m not an engineer. I’m trying to get to grips with it. But I have colleagues here. | Not wanting to incur your wrath.. I’m not an engineer. I’m trying to get to grips with it. But I have colleagues here. |
Ian Yarnold of the Department says: We haven’t examined the cars for defeat devices. We are looking at test results. | Ian Yarnold of the Department says: We haven’t examined the cars for defeat devices. We are looking at test results. |
Mostly we think its a software issue. | Mostly we think its a software issue. |
Updated | |
at 6.36pm BST | |
5.27pm BST | |
17:27 | |
VW have given us a figure of how many cars with defeat devices. Have you challenged them? | VW have given us a figure of how many cars with defeat devices. Have you challenged them? |
I have no reason to dispute the figures given, 1.1m. 580,000 VW, 49% affected Skoda 11% Seat 77,00. | I have no reason to dispute the figures given, 1.1m. 580,000 VW, 49% affected Skoda 11% Seat 77,00. |
I hope they have learned, having being exposed, to be as open as possible. | I hope they have learned, having being exposed, to be as open as possible. |
Updated | |
at 5.29pm BST | |
5.25pm BST | |
17:25 | |
Now up is Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and two members of his department. He is asked when he first knew: | Now up is Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and two members of his department. He is asked when he first knew: |
I became aware of weekend of 18.... when various issues came out of US. | I became aware of weekend of 18.... when various issues came out of US. |
They behaved appallingly. These devices were made illegal, and they will suffer substantial damage and they deserve to. | They behaved appallingly. These devices were made illegal, and they will suffer substantial damage and they deserve to. |
5.21pm BST | |
17:21 | |
The session with VW’s Paul Willis and the SMMT’s chief executive Mike Hawes ends. | The session with VW’s Paul Willis and the SMMT’s chief executive Mike Hawes ends. |
5.19pm BST | |
17:19 | |
Premature to say reputation of industry severely damaged by this, says SMMT’s Hawes. | Premature to say reputation of industry severely damaged by this, says SMMT’s Hawes. |
5.16pm BST | |
17:16 | |
Implausible senior management knew - VW's Willis | Implausible senior management knew - VW's Willis |
Do you believe it was a high level corporate decision or rogue engineers. | Do you believe it was a high level corporate decision or rogue engineers. |
That debate is pure conjecture. I have no idea. I find it implausible that senior people would have known of these issues. | That debate is pure conjecture. I have no idea. I find it implausible that senior people would have known of these issues. |
Updated | |
at 5.16pm BST | |