§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what opinion has been given to his Department by the EEC Economic and Social Committee on the Draft Council Directive on the harmonisation of the legislation of member States relating to certain soft drinks; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the present state of progress of discussions between his Department and the European Council Working Party concerning the preparation of a Draft Directive on non-alcoholic refreshing beverages and soft drinks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangA draft directive on nonalcoholic refreshing beverages was submitted by the EEC Commission to the Council in April 1970. The Economic and Social Committee delivered an opinion to the Council on that draft in February 1971. The draft was twice discussed in a Council Working Party of the Six in the autumn of 1972; officials of my Department attended the second of these meetings as observers. In June 1973, following enlargement, the Commission withdrew the draft for redrafting to take account of products and production practices in the new member States. A new draft is still awaited.