§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Employment when the Government expect the Council of Ministers to adopt the sixth modification to the 1967 directive on the labelling and packaging of dangerous substances; and if he will make a statement of Government policy towards this.
§ Mr. John GrantI refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 28th July 1977—[Vol. 936, c.454]—and 7th November 1977—[Vol. 938, c. 119.]
Negotiations on the sixth amendment to the 1967 EEC directive on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (R/ 2203/76) are still in progress and it is not possible to say when the directive will be adopted by the Council of Ministers.
The Government's policy remains as stated in my reply of 28th July 1977.
840Wconcerned. I have of course previously made clear that the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act is binding on the Crown and that the Government are committed to taking whatever action is necessary to secure compliance by all Crown bodies.