§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Presidency draft of a council directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the response of workers to risks arising from physical agents connected to the Explanatory Memorandum submitted by his Department to the European Scrutiny Committee is subject to the confidentiality of Council proceedings. [80588]
§ Mr. MealeThe Presidency draft text appears to be subject to the confidentiality requirements of the Council Rules of Procedure.
Since the text is substantially different from that published by the European Commission in 1994, my Department, in line with Cabinet Office guidance, submitted an Explanatory Memorandum on this proposal in order to keep the European Scrutiny Committees informed about progress. The German Presidency has indicated that it wishes to reach common position on a compromise text during its term.