§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the construction products directive; and what staffing and administrative resources are available for the supervision of the construction products regulations 1991, SI 1991, No. 1620, and circular 13/91 from his Department.
§ Mr. YeoThe Construction Products Regulations 1991—SI 1991 No. 1620—come into force in the United Kingdom on 27 December this year. The enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of weights and measures authorities in Great Britain and of district councils in Northern Ireland.
The manpower and expenditure implications for enforcement authorities were taken into account in determining the 1991–92 provision for total standard spending by English and Welsh local authorities. For Scotland account was taken in the Scottish local authority aggregate external finance settlement for 1991–92. In Northern Ireland the Department of the Environment 365W (NI) has agreed to reimburse councils towards the 1991–92 costs of additional enforcement measures arising from the regulations.
The level of provision of staff and administrative resources in individual authorities is, of course, a matter for local determination.
In addition some central Government resources are being committed in support of the supervision of the regulations. In particular the Department of the Environment is required to inform the European Commission of action taken by enforcement authorities that restricts the free movement and marketing of construction products subject to the regulations.