§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he is currently engaged in with the EEC Commission on matters for which he is responsible; and, in particular, if he will give a detailed breakdown of each topic under discussion, with special reference to EEC proposals, actual or envisaged, and their status in the Community's legislative machinery.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Council of EEC Environment Ministers had a general discussion on the Community's environment policy on 18 December 1978 and a similar discussion is to be held on 9 April 1979. My Department had a general discussion with the Commission on 27–28 February 1979 about action under the Community's Environment Programme.
The following proposals have been put by the Commission to the Council of Ministers and are under consideration, or will be considered, in Council working groups:
Proposal for a Council directive on the health protection standards for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulate matter in urban atmospheres.Proposal for a Council directive on the reduction of water pollution caused by wood pulp mills in member States.Proposal for a Council directive relating to the quality requirements for waters favourable to shellfish growth.Proposal for a Council directive on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances.Proposal for a Council directive on the methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling for surface water abstracted for drinking in the member States.Proposal for a Council directive on the sixth modification of the June 1967 directive on the approximation of the laws of member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances.Proposal for a Council directive on the approximation of the laws of the member States relating to noise emitted by lawn-mowers.383WProposal for a Council decision reviewing the second multi-annual research and development programme for the EEC in the environment field.Proposal for a Council directive on the mutual recognition of qualifications in architecture, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services.Proposal for a Council decision setting up an Advisory Committee on education and training in the field of architecture.Proposal for a Council directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative procedures of the member States relating to construction products.Proposal for a Council resolution laying down a list of priority products to be covered by directives implementing the proposed framework directive on construction products.Explanatory memoranda on these proposals have been put to the Scrutiny Committee.
Discussions are taking place in Commission expert groups within the environment and construction fields on a number of matters which have not yet developed to a stage where the Commission has put forward any proposals to the Council of Ministers. Discussions also take place in Commission advisory committees concerned with implementing action under the Commission's research programme in the environment field.