§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the Recreational Craft Directive on small traditional boat builders; and if she will make a statement. [41665]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 12 May 1998]At the time that this Directive was being negotiated, the Department commissioned a Compliance Cost Assessment. This report concluded that, of those UK boat-building companies affected, the extra costs of compliance would138W be around 1% of the value of the industry's output. Although costs differed, dependent on the type of product, the survey concluded that there was general industry support for the principle of the Directive and that an undue burden would not exist provided that the regulations were appropriately enforced. My officials continue to liaise closely with those concerned to ensure that this is the case.