§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) of 26 March,Official Report, column 354, whether there has been any progress on development of an eco-labelling scheme for the United Kingdom; whether he has received any notification from the European Commission on the development of a Community-wide labelling scheme; what is his policy on whether such a scheme should be voluntary; and when he considers implementation of such a scheme might commence.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government have made it clear they support the introduction of a voluntary eco-labelling scheme, and that they would prefer this to be part of an arrangement covering the whole of the European Community. However, if there is undue delay in agreeing a Community scheme we will go ahead with introducing a national scheme. We want an official eco-labelling scheme to be in place as soon as possible, and expect the first labels to be awarded during 1992.