§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the proposed new dim-dip vehicle lighting regulations are in accord with the European Commission's views and recommendations.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe European Commission put to us last year a legal argument to the effect that these regulations should include an exemption for vehicles type approved in accordance with directive EC 76/756 as amended by directives 82/244 and 83/276. We have explained to the Commission why we do not accept its legal argument, but, so far as we know, it continues to hold to its opinion. The regulations now laid before Parliament in SI 1983 No. 1859 do not include the exemption proposed by the Commission.
The Commission has also said that it favours the examination of technical aspects of dim-dip by a motor industry expert advisory body, the Groupe de Travail de Bruxelles. We have told the Commission that any changes to the Department's specification, which is later proposed by the GTB, will be seriously and urgently considered.