HC Deb 22 November 1995 vol 267 cc641-2
1. Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many statutory instruments have been passed through Parliament as a result of European Community directives in the past year. [771]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Kynoch)

There are 181, of which seven extend to Scotland only.

Mr. Steen

Is my hon. Friend aware of what is going on in his Department? Although I know that whatever he does, he does very well, the problem is that his civil servants have a penchant for gold-plating: whenever they see a directive, they have to add something to it. Directives arrive from Europe couched in very general terms, but then civil servants add to them. Will my hon. Friend tell us today that he will outlaw gold-plating, that any adding to European directives by his Department will be banned and that he will examine all the old directives that have been gold-plated and get rid of all the stuff that should not have been there in the first place?

Mr. Kynoch

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Scottish Office officials are instructed to check that no double-banking or gold-plating takes place.

Mr. Canavan

Is the Minister aware of the concern about the implications of certain European Union decisions, including those contained in directives and certain decisions made by the European Court of Justice? What action do the Government intend to take in regard to the implications of the Bosman case, bearing in mind the fact that the abolition of transfer fees would threaten the financial viability of many Scottish football clubs?

Mr. Kynoch

I am informed by my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for sport that the Scottish Football Association is scheduled to hold a meeting with him on that very issue.

Mr. Gallie

My hon. Friend will be aware of the bathing water standards that operate as a consequence of a European directive, but is he aware of the time that it has taken Strathclyde region to bring bathing water standards in my constituency up to scratch? The authority has procrastinated rather than providing. There is, however, a glimmer of hope: the new West of Scotland water and sewerage authority looks set to find a solution. Does my hon. Friend welcome that?

Mr. Kynoch

Of course I do. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the deficiencies of Strathclyde regional council—not just in connection with bathing water. This year it has already been very slow to react to floods with prevention measures. I am afraid that the council has let down its electors, and I look forward to seeing the new water authority doing just what my hon. Friend describes.

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