HC Deb 24 February 1994 vol 238 cc318-9W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade why the CENELEC report of 1991 "Live with the Differences on Plugs and Domestic Wiring" was referred back to CENELEC by the European Commission; and what representations he made on the reference back.

Mr. Sainsbury

The Commission did not mandate the current work in CENELEC. CENELEC itself decided to commence work in this area at its General Assembly in 1992.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the application of subsidiarity to the harmonisation of electrical plugs on CENELEC standards.

Mr. Sainsbury

The question of subsidiarity does not arise because the Commission has made no formal proposals. The harmonisation in question may emerge from discussions in the relevant standards body, CENELEC. It is uncertain whether a standard which emerged from this process would be enforced by an EC Directive, but if a new standard were to be agreed, it would be for the United Kingdom to decide whether to accept it or seek a derogation.