§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what attitude he is currently taking in the EEC Council of Ministers to the proposed directive, Council of Ministers (78) 449, on con- 296W struction products; what response he has had to the consultations with the United Kingdom construction and allied industries; and how many organisations have indicated that they see no useful purpose in the directive.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergDiscussions about this directive have not yet commenced in the Council of Ministers and my right hon. Friend wishes to consider further the issues involved and to study the reports to be prepared by the parliamentary scrutiny committees before deciding what line to take. Consultation with industry has revealed some concern about the possible costs involved; about a number of points of procedure contained in the proposal, especially those relating to self-certification of products by manufacturers; and about the proposed procedure for adopting subsequent implementing directives. It has, on the other hand, identified some limited areas in which harmonisation of standards and test methods for construction products might remove barriers to United Kingdom exports.