MPs are to demand 'transparency and detail' about the Volkswagen emissions scandal from the German company's UK boss as they seek assurances that ministers are working hard to deal with motorists affected by the scandal.
The UK managing director Stuart Willis and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin are both to be grilled by the Commons Transport Select Committee today.
More than one million VW vehicles are affected by the controversy following the company's admission last month that it had on defeat devices on board many of its diesel cars to ensure they passed strict emissions tests for pollution.
As many as 100,000 car owners in Scotland could be affected.
VW has pulled 4000 new vehicles from its UK showrooms and just days after the German car giant revealed that more than 1.1million of its vehicles already owned in the UK were affected.
SNP MP Stewart McDonald, a member of the committee, said: "Given the scale of this emission fixing scandal – the committee will be pushing for as much transparency and detail we can get from both the manufacturers and the UK government.
"I will want assurances from Volkswagen that they have fully taken on board the need to sort this problem out quickly and effectively and how they intend to do that.
“If VW want to re-establish trust with consumers – it is key that they answer questions today at the committee and give us those re-assurances. This will be the opportunity to do that."
He added that he would be seeking assurances the UK Government is working alongside the Scottish Government to understand and deal with the scale of the problem in Scotland.
It come as Dundee competes for a share of a £35 million fund to boost the numbers of low emission vehicles on the city's streets.
Scotland's fourth largest city is amongst 12 hoping to be selected as one of the UK's first "Go Ultra Low Cities", a scheme set up by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. The competition will reward local authorities that best demonstrate the potential for drivers to invest in the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs).
Each city has to aspire to "exemplar status" to become internationally outstanding examples of the use of plug-in cars and vans in their local areas.
Dundee City Council will find out if they have been selected when the winners are announced later this year. The chosen cities will then go on to compete on an international level.
Proposals put forward by local authorities have included a car scrappage scheme to replace conventionally-fuelled vehicles with ULEVs, emission vehicle carpools for public and private sector workers, and energy-efficient LED street lights that double up as electric vehicle charge points.
Go Ultra Low aims to educate motorists on the benefits and cost savings of ULEVs. The campaign is the first of its kind, bringing together a consortium of seven leading vehicle manufacturers; Audi, BMW, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Volkswagen, as well as the government and the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders.
Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low added: "We’re excited by the passion and innovation demonstrated by cities across the UK"
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