§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what consultations he has had with British textile machinery manufacturers about proposed new European regulations on magnetic compatibility;
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that British textile machinery manufacturers do not suffer unnecessarily under the terms of proposed new European regulations on magnetic compatibility;
(3) if he has any plans to visit Sir James Farmer Norton and Co. to discuss the possible impact of proposed new regulations on magnetic compatibility;
(4) if he will list those testing facilities which currently exist in the north-west of England which could be used for testing compliance of heavy machinery with proposed new regulations on magnetic compatibility.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 25 June 1991]: My officials met officers and members of the British Textile Machinery Association on 12 June to discuss the electro-magnetic 539W compatibility directive. I am not aware of any reason why British textile machinery manufacturers should be disadvantaged by the directive.
My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Sir James Farmer Norton and Co.
Manufacturers following the "standards" route to compliance with the directive may use any test acilities, including their own. I regret that the Department does not have a list of such facilities in the north-west of England.
"Competent bodies" have not yet been appointed to issue technical reports or certificates for manufacturers following the "technical file" route to compliance with the directive.