§ Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects on UK diesel engine marinising companies and on UK agents for EU manufacturers of recreational craft engines of(a) the proposed EU Directive Com (2000) 639 946W and (b) an amendment exempting producers of less than 5000 engines per annum from compliance for five years after the directive comes into effect. [71643]
§ Alan Johnson[holding answer 19 July 2002]: A Regulatory Impact Assessment submitted to the European Scrutiny Committee on 5 July 2001 provided an assessment of the effect of COM (2000)639 on affected parties including engine marinisers. No specific assessment has been made in respect of UK agents for EU manufacturers of recreational craft. Also no assessment has been made of the effect such an amendment would have on either of the two groups. COM (2000)639 has been under discussion within the Council and European Parliament for some time and the Council reached a Common Position, the text of which was published on 22 April 2002. The European Parliament made no such amendment during the first reading and it is unlikely that such an amendment would be considered at this late stage if it was not already proposed during the first reading. However, it is my understanding that a Council Working Group will meet some time in September to consider any second reading amendments. Once all these amendments have been forwarded to the Council, we will with our partners take a view on the whole package of amendments. Following that, and before the European Parliament second reading takes place, the UK Government will as usual issue briefing to UK MEPs which will make our position clear. In addition, the UK Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees will be kept informed.
§ Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Grade and Industry if she will make it her policy to support an amendment exempting diesel marinisers producing less than 5000 engines per annum from compliance with Com 2000) 639 for five years after it comes into force. [71642]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 19 July 2002]: COM (2000)639 relating to exhaust gas and noise emissions from recreational craft has been under discussion within the Council and European Parliament for some time and the Council reached a Common Position, the text of which was published on 22 April 2002. The European Parliament made no such amendment during the first reading and it is unlikely that such an amendment would be considered at this late stage if it was not already proposed during the first reading. However, it is my understanding that a Council Working Group will meet some time in September to consider any second reading amendments. Once all these amendments have been forwarded to the Council, we will with our partners take a view on the whole package of amendments. Following that, and before the European Parliament second reading takes place, the UK Government will as usual issue briefing to UK MEPs which will make our position clear. In addition, the UK Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees will be kept informed.