HC Deb 12 July 2002 vol 388 cc1236-7W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the implementation of the Directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66460]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

At present there are no meetings of the Committee of Directive 99/94/EC scheduled. Fuel consumption and CO2 labelling of passenger cars is a reserved issue and Committee meetings would therefore generally be attended by officials of the Department for Transport only. However, officials will continue to ensure that their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations are kept informed of developments in this area and consulted on any proposals to amend the directive put to the Committee.

My response on 21 May 2002 to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow), Official Report, column 214W–15W, was incorrect. It stated that this Committee had not yet met, whereas it did in fact meet on 15 November 2000 to agree a format for reporting on the effectiveness of the Directive. Since this question was answered, the Committee has met a further time although as yet no proposals to amend the Directive have been received.