§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which EC Transport Directives have not been ratified by them and in each case why not. [HL79]
§ Baroness HaymanSet out below is the information which is available centrally. Comprehensive information could only be collected at disproportionate cost. The list excludes directives the implementation of which is not yet required. If the noble Lord has a particular directive in mind, and indicates this, we would be happy to write with details.
91/440/EC on the development of the Community's railways: Has been largely implemented apart from certain aspects relating to the Channel Tunnel, on which we need to agree bilateral regulations with France. This in progress.
21WA95/18/EC on the licensing of railway undertakings, 95/19/EC on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and charging of infrastructure fees: We have been consulting the railway industry on the implementation of these directives and hope to raise a statutory instrument shortly.
96/50/EC on the harmonisation of conditions for obtaining national boatmasters' certificates for the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterway in the Community: Although the UK originally took the view that transposition of this directive was unnecessary as the matter was covered by existing legislation, the position has been re-examined and work on implementing legislation is now in progress.
96/53/EC, laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic: This is largely a consolidation of several directives which have already been implemented into UK law. Consultation on a revised draft statutory instrument will take place shortly.
96/87/EC, dangerous goods by rail and 96/86/EC, dangerous goods by road: These are Commission directives amending certain provisions of Directives 94/55/EC and 96/49/EC in relation to which text of international road and rail regulations should be used as the basis of harmonising the national legislation in member states. The necessary implementing legislation will be made by 1 January 1999.
97/26/EC amending 91/439/EC on driving licences: Largely implemented with just a small amendment outstanding.
93/29/EC on identification of controls, tell tales and indicators for two-or-three-wheeled vehicles, 93/30/EC on audible warning devices for two-or three-wheeled vehicles, 93/31/EC on stands for two-wheeled vehicles, 93/32/EC on passenger hand holds on two-wheeled-vehicles, 93/33/EC on protective devices to prevent unauthorised use of two-or three-wheeled vehicles, 93/34/EC on statutory marking for two-or three-wheeled vehicles, 93/92/EC on installation of lighting and light signalling devices on two-or three-wheeled vehicles, 95/01/EC on maximum design speed, maximum torque and maximum net engine power of two-or three-wheeled vehicles: Have not yet been put into the Construction and Use Regulations, although we have complied with certain EU requirements by putting them into the Type Approval Regulations. We plan to complete passage in 1998.
95/28/EC on the approximation of laws of member states relating to the burning behaviour of materials used in interior construction of motor vehicles: There is a current research project on fire safety and we wish to consider the findings of this before deciding whether to recognise or mandate 22WA the requirements. The directive should already have been recognised in the Designated Approvals Marks Regulations.