HC Deb 23 July 2002 vol 389 cc946-7W
Mrs. Helen Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects of Corn (2000) 639 on air and noise pollution. [71641]

Mr. Wilson

[holding answer 19 July 2002]: No specific assessment has been made. COM (2000) 639 indicated that there would he a slight decrease in overall pollution as a result of implementation. However, this measure is proposed under Article 95 of the Treaty and is mainly concerned with the reduction of technical barriers to trade within the EU. It was on this basis that the UK supported the proposal while noting that in the long term there was likely to be some improvement in air quality and reduction in noise levels.