HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc721-2W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the European working group on substances regulation to report; what recommendations were submitted from the United Kingdom through(a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) the Department of the Environment; and if he will make a statement. [12806]

Angela Eagle

This question has been taken to relate to the existing substances regulation. The Committee, composed of representatives of the member States and chaired by the European Commission, awaits the outcome of detailed technical discussions underway in working groups, which will form the basis of any recommendation for measures to be taken in relation to substances covered by the Regulation. The UK has the lead on 13 of the 78 substances on the first and second priority lists. The assessments on 30 substances are currently under discussion; Nine submitted by the UK. Some are at a more advanced stage than others but the nine UK assessments should complete the technical review stage over the next six months before progressing to Committee stage.

The Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, and environment directorates within the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions co-operate closely, submitting joint assessments to working groups.