HC Deb 11 December 2002 vol 396 c352W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the European Emission Standard Directives on motorcycling; what discussions have taken place; what representations have been received; and what steps have been taken by his Department as a result. [86089]

Mr. Jamieson

EU directive 2002/51/EC provides for two stages of reductions in emission limit values for two and three wheeled vehicles to have effect from 2003 and 2006 together with a number of other measures designed mainly to maintain emissions performance in-service.

The first stage reductions should contribute a small but useful reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions at a reasonable cost to manufacturers. With regard to the second stage reductions, while the Government welcome further measures for reducing motor cycle emissions, they considered that mandating a second stage of emissions reductions before its impact on the industry could be fully assessed was not in accord with the principle of better regulation, as reasserted in the Mandelkern Report and endorsed by heads of Government at the Barcelona European Council. While the UK did succeed in negotiating some relief for small manufacturers, support from other member states and the European Parliament for a review prior to any second stage implementation was not forthcoming. The Government therefore abstained from voting in the EU Environmental Council's third and final reading on this measure.

The Department has been in contact with the UK industry throughout the negotiations and continues to do so in order to revise its regulatory impact assessment to take account of the second stage measures. The Department intends shortly to provide a copy of the regulatory impact assessment to the House scrutiny committees on European legislation. Copies will also be placed in the House Libraries.

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