HL Deb 27 April 1995 vol 563 cc86-7WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the state of negotiations (and in which Committees of the European Communities) which may have a bearing on the survival of:

  1. (a) the London double-decker bus;
  2. (b) the British midi-bus;
  3. (c) the British lettuce growing industry;
  4. (d) the Scottish whisky industry's trade in draff (used grain);
  5. (e) Britain's medium-sized and smaller slaughterhouses.

Viscount Goschen

Discussion of the proposed draft directive on bus and coach construction is continuing within the European Commission. A formal proposal is expected later this year.

Commission working-group discussions on proposals to set limits for nitrate in lettuce are currently in abeyance while awaiting the opinion of the Scientific Committee for Food on the toxicology of nitrate and nitrite. The UK considers the proposals to be unnecessary, and we have consistently argued for their withdrawal.

There have been no meetings of the Council working group that is to consider the proposed directive on feed materials. None is anticipated under the French presidency. My noble friend will be aware from the reply to his parliamentary Question on 14 March that the Government are acutely aware of—and fully support—the Scotch whisky industry's concerns. UK officials will continue to seek an exemption for moist feeds when negotiations commence in the working group.

The December 1994 Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed in principle to a package of amendments to Directive 63/433/EEC on the production and marketing of fresh meat which would benefit small slaughterhouses. The European Parliament has now delivered its opinion, and we expect the amending directive to be considered at an early Council of Ministers.