§ Mr. O'Halloranasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Environment) meeting in Brussels on 12th December.
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§ Mr. ShoreThe United Kingdom was represented by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State—the Member for Birmingham, Small Heath (Mr. Howell). Agreement was reached on the directive on waste from the titanium dioxide industry; the directive is now in terms consistent with United Kingdom policy that the need for control measures should be considered in the light of local environmental circumstances. Agreement was also reached on the directive on toxic and dangerous wastes. Most of the outstanding points of difficulty concerning the proposed directive on bird conservation, which was debated in the House on 17th November, were settled and this proposal should be ready for adoption soon. There was a short and inconclusive discussion on air quality standards, with particular reference to pollution by sulphur compounds; on which several proposals are under consideration by the Council. Early decisions on these are unlikely.