§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress towards agreement on the European Union directive on distance selling.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe distance selling directive is on the agenda for the meeting of the Consumer Council on 30 March. The current text is broadly acceptable to all member states and the French presidency hopes to reach agreement on a common position. If a common position is achieved the directive will be submitted to the European Parliament, where the co-decision procedure will apply.