HC Deb 13 July 1978 vol 953 cc746-7W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make representations to the EEC Commission to the effect that if the EEC directive on lawnmower noise is implemented, British-made lawnmowers will be unable to be used to cut grass.

Mr. Shore

There is no EEC directive on lawnmower noise. We believe that the Commission intends shortly to put a formal proposal for such a directive to the Council. We shall then be able to give Parliament a detailed account of the position. Representatives of the United Kingdom have attended consultative meetings held by the Commission at all stages, and they have made the views of the British Lawnmower Manufacturers Federation quite clear to the Commission. I have no intention of agreeing to any such directive which might emerge.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from British lawnmower manufacturers concerning the EEC directive on lawnmower noise.

Mr. Shore

My Department has consulted the British lawnmower manufacturing industry at all stages since the EEC Commission began work in 1975 on the ridiculous draft proposals for a directive on noise from lawnmowers and is fully seized of the industry's views.