§ Mr. William PowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement(a) regulation 4056/86 relating to competition rules to maritime transport and (b) regulation 3975/87 relating to competition rules to air transport;
(2) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement directive 88/593 relating to jams;
(3) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement directive 85/573 relating to coffee and chicory extracts;
(4) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement (a) directive 88/380 relating to the certification of seeds and (b) directive 88/572 which amends directive 77/93 relating to plant health;
(5) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement directive 89/105 relating to price transparency in the prices of medicines and social security refunds;
(6) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement (a) directive 85/323 and (b) directive 85/324 on microbiological controls;
792W(7) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement directive 86/197 relating to the obligation to indicate ingredients and alcoholic strengths;
(8) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement directive 86/102 relating to emulsifiers (modification);
(9) what representations he has made to the European Commission over the failure of France to implement directive 88/320 relating to good laboratory practices and the non-clinical testing of chemicals.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 18 January 1990]My Department has made no specific representations about failure by the French authorities to implement the directives mentioned. However, if my hon. Friend is aware of any specific difficulties caused for United Kingdom business we would of course be willing to take this up with the Commission or bilaterally with the French authorities. Responsibility for ensuring member states' compliance with EC directives rests with the Commission which can take a member state to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with EC legislation.
The United Kingdom has, however, led the way in bringing the issue of implementation to the fore at political level in Brussels, and through our bilateral contacts with other member states. This has in itself put pressure on Governments with a record less good than ours.
Of the measures mentioned I should point out that two directives 85/323 and 85/324 cannot be implemented until further decisions are taken in Brussels. The United Kingdom has not implemented these directives. A further two directives 89/105 and 89/593 were not required to be implemented in member states at the time the Commission produced its latest report on implementation of single market measures.