§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) 27 November 1991,Official Report, columns 557–58, he will set out the reasons why EC directive 89/618/EURATOM was not transposed into United Kingdom law by the required date of 28 November 1991.
§ Mr. ForthThe implementation period of two years is shorter than that for other Euratom directives. Implementation was not assisted by the publication of guidance for member states on implementing the principal articles of the directive only eight months before the implementation date.
I am advised from the European Commission that the UK are not alone in the late implementation of this directive. Nevertheless, progress on implementation continues. The Health and Safety Commission has published for consultation draft proposals to implement the directive. Regulations will be made as soon as 93W comments have been considered and the proposals have been scrutinised by the European Commission. Article 30 of the Euratom treaty requires a three-month consultation period to allow the European Commission time to comment on the UK's finalised implementation proposals.
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has for the implementation of European Council directive 89/618/EURATOM in relation to informing the general public about health protection measures to be applied, and safety steps to be taken, in the event of a radiological emergency.
§ Mr. ForthI refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer given in reply to the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) on 13 January 1992, at column457.