HC Deb 13 July 1995 vol 263 cc724-5W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy with respect to qualified majority voting on EU health and safety directives; and if he will make a statement. [34184]

Sir Paul Beresford

Qualified majority voting has applied to health and safety matters brought forward under article 118a since the Single European Act, which was signed in 1986, came into effect on 1 July 1987.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date or dates United Kingdom Ministers or officials sought to persuade the European Commission to agree a derogation for Sikh turban wearers from the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. [34182]

Sir Paul Beresford

During the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the directive on the use of Personal Protective Equipment at Work on 30 November 1989, a number of representations were made seeking agreement to a derogation for Sikh turban wearers.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what dates United Kingdom representatives attempted to secure a European Council minutes statement concerning a derogation for Sikh turban wearers from the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations; what external legal advice has been obtained in respect of the legal force of the unilateral minutes statement entered by the United Kingdom; if he will place a copy of the relevant documents in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [34185]

Sir Paul Beresford

An attempt was made to secure a minutes statement from the Council and the Commission on 15 November 1989 but this was not successful. A unilateral minutes statement was entered by the United Kingdom at the Labour and Social Affairs Council on 30 November 1989; details are recorded in theOfficial Journal. Our legal advice however, is that a unilateral minute statement, as opposed to one agreed by the Council or the Commission, would provide no defence to a challenge to any exemption for Sikhs.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date or dates United Kingdom representatives sought to amend the personal protective equipment at work directive in the European Parliament; and if he will list how each EU country, including the UK, voted in each relevant vote. [34183]

Sir Paul Beresford

UK representatives sought to amend the directive on the use of personal protective equipment at work when it was considered by the European Parliament Committee on Social Affairs, Employment and the Working Environment in August 1989. A further attempt was made when it was considered by the European Parliament on 13 September 1989. Details of European Parliament proceedings are recorded in the Official Journal, which is available in the Library.