§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Croydon, North-East (Mr. Congdon) of 8 July,Official Report columns 233–35, what was the position of each member state on the votes on (a) volatile organic compound emissions and (b) the text of a directive on new exhaust emission standards for light commercial vehicles below 3.5 tonnes maximum weight; and what was the Government's position in the discussions on (i) the wild birds directive and (ii) the packaging and waste directive taken at the European Community's Environment Council held on 8 July; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoNo formal votes were taken at the Environment Council held on 28 and 29 June. On wild birds, the Government supported a compromise acceptable to 10 other member states. On packaging, the Council held a policy debate rather than a discussion of detail, during which I emphasised the need for early agreement on the directive on the basis of realistic targets, particularly in the light of the unintended effects measures in one country might have on other member states.