§ 56. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes in planning law and practice he envisages in the event of British accession to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Graham PageNone. The Treaty of Rome does not require harmonisation of laws on town and country planning.
§ 73 and 96. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why there is no official translation available of Common Market Regulation No. 70/222; what he is doing to make such a translation available; and when it will be available;
(2) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT an up-to-date list of regulations affecting his Department which are not available in an authenticated translated form.
§ Mr. PeytonEnglish is not yet an official language of the Community but unofficial English texts of Community instruments, including No. 70/222, are available in the Library. As regards the preparation of authentic English texts, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer he received from my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on 17th November, 1971.—[Vol. 826, c.154.]
§ 84. Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the draft memorandum prepared by the Commission of the European Economic Community, addressed to the Council of Ministers, outlining a Community policy for the environment, is under consideration; and if he will indicate Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the adoption of such a scheme in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe paper is being studied in preparation for discussions with the Commission next year.
§ 101. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the additional cost of house purchase consequent upon the imposition of value-added tax at rates harmonised with those in the 360W European Economic Community;and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HigginsI have been asked to reply.
No such estimate has been made. As the Green Paper on V.A.T. indicates, special arrangements for housing will be needed for our value-added tax. The E.E.C. directives require member States to introduce a common system of V.A.T., but the coverage and rates of V.A.T. are not yet harmonised. As a member State, we should, of course, be able to participate fully in any future discussions or decisions on harmonisation.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will initiate discussions with the European Economic Community to ascertain to what extent British control of the size and type of heavy lorries entering this country from the countries of the Six will contravene the rules and regulations of the European Economic Community, and if he will publish the outcome in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. PeytonThere will be no contravention of Community rules.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he received a communication from the Royal Automobile Club concerning the effects on British motorists, the motor industry and British roads of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; whether he will publish details of this communication in the OFFICIAL REPORT together with his reply, and state when such a reply was sent; and whether he will invite representatives of the Royal Automobile Club to discuss these problems with him.
§ Mr. PeytonThe answer to the first part of the Question is "21st September"; the answer to the second part is "No".
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will necessitate a change in the rule of the road to driving on the right; and what is his estimate of the cost to the economy of such a change over.
361W
§ Mr. PeytonNo, and therefore no estimate of cost is required.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he expects Great Britain's entry into the Common Market will have an effect on the environmental conditions of British towns and villages due to the free entry into Great Britain from the European Economic Community of heavier, longer and larger lorries; and to what extent he will still be able to control the size of such vehicles as at present.
§ Mr. PeytonNo. E.E.C. standards yet exist for vehicle weights and dimensions. When such standards come into operation they will be binding on member States, but local authorities will retain the freedom to impose traffic regulation orders.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent Great Britain's entry into the Common Market will necessitate the adoption of the motorway laws, rules and regulations of the countries of the Six.
§ Mr. PeytonTo the extent that these are contained in agreed regulations and directives.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the general effect of the implementation of the European Economic Community rules and regulations, European Coal and Steel Community rules and regulations E1-E1331 and any others that may fall within his ministerial responsibilities.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerNo.