§ 24. Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about eco-labelling. [23214]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordI am pleased to report that since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment intervened at the October Environment Council over the continuing delays with this European Community scheme, considerable progress has been made. In all, there are eight product groups for which criteria have been established; including soil improvers, tissue paper, kitchen rolls, household detergents, paints, varnishes and lightbulbs, which significantly improves the prospects for a range of eco-labelled goods being available in the shops later this year. Further speedy progress is anticipated.