HC Deb 27 November 1991 vol 199 c521W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Prime Minister when Her Majesty's Government first received notification from the EC Environment Commissioner of the dissatisfaction of the European Commission with the implementation by the United Kingdom, following transposition into United Kingdom law, of the 1985 EEC directive on environmental assessment of major projects; what responses have been made to the Commission by Her Majesty's Government to date; and if he will place copies of correspondence on the matter in the Library.

The Prime Minister

The Commission's article 169 letter of 22 March 1990 alleged infraction of directive 85/337/EEC in connection with a proposed waste disposal installation at Outlands Head quarry, Derbyshire. Following the United Kingdom's reply of 21 May 1990, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion about that case on 28 February 1991, to which the United Kingdom replied on 30 April 1991.

The only other formal complaint by the Commission about our application of this directive has been Commissioner Ripa di Meana's well-publicised article 169 letter of 17 October 1991. The Commission has asked for a reply by 17 December.

Correspondence between the Commission and member states about alleged infractions of European law is generally conducted in confidence.

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