HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc429-30W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 39–40, if he will make a statement on the

Date Title
May 1997 The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1997
May 1997 The Merchant Shipping (Mandatory Ships' Routeing) Regulations 1997
June 1997 The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1997 (implementing a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of member states relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (exhaust emissions))
June 1997 The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1997 (implementing a Council Directive on measures to be taken against air pollution by motor vehicles)
June 1997 The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Fees) Regulations 1997
July 1997 The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1997
July 1997 The International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs (Amendment) Regulations 1997
September 1997 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1997
September 1997 Proposal for a Council Directive on statistical returns in respect of carriage of goods and passengers by sea
September 1997 The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) (Amendment) Regulations 1997
October 1997 The Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997
December 1997 The Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1997
December 1997 Proposal for a Council Recommendation on a parking card for people with disabilities
February 1998 The Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1998
February 1998 The Civil Aviation (Canadian Navigation Service) (Second Amendment) Regulations 1998

30 September 1997. In the three years up until this date, the returns provide the following information:

conclusions of the discussion on the European Community's ecolabelling system at the Council of Ministers meeting of 16 and 17 June. [53828]

Mr. Meacher

The United Kingdom Presidency initiated an orientation debate at the Council of Ministers on 17 June, which was successful in enabling member states to exchange views on the Commission' s Proposal for a Council Regulation to revise the Community's existing eco-label award scheme. The debate focused on two aspects of the Proposal which had been of particular concern to member states. These were the proposal for future administration of the scheme of a new "European Ecolabelling Organisation", financed by member states; and the proposal to withdraw national eco-labels within five years in the case of product areas covered by the European eco-label. The Council had a useful discussion of these points, and related policy issues, in the light of which the Commission indicated that it would be revising its Proposal.

I also refer the hon. Gentleman to a reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Singh) on 24 June 1998, Official Report, column 542, on the overall outcome of this Council of Ministers.