HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1273-5W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State when the EC-Czech Republic Joint Transport Committee is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [73155]

Mr. Jamieson

This Committee is established under the provisions of an Agreement between the European Community and the Czech Republic establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the Committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the Agreement. I am not aware that it has met in recent times or that there are any plans for it to meet in the future. Representatives of the Scottish Executive have not been—and would not in the future be—members of the Committee as the matters for which it has responsibility are reserved.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the EC-Poland Joint Transport Committee is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [73159]

Mr. Jamieson

This Committee is established under the provisions of an Agreement between the European Community and Poland establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the Committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the agreement. I am not aware that it has met in recent times or that there are any plans for it to meet in the future. Representatives of the Scottish Executive have not been—and would not in the future be—members of the Committee as the matters for which it has responsibility are reserved.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2002,Official Report, columns 606–07W, when members of the Scottish Executive have attended meetings of the EU Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (SEVESO II); and if he will make a statement. [73168]

Mr. Jamieson

The Scottish Executive has not attended meetings of the EU Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (SEVESO II) since May 1999.

The mandate of the EU Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (SEVESO II) is to promote coherent implementation and consistent application of the provisions of the Seveso II Directive throughout the Community. This necessitates close co-operation of the competent authorities of all member states and the European Commission. The committee of competent authority meetings (CCA) provide such a forum. The CCA consists of representatives of the member states and the Commission services. It discusses all issues concerning the implementation of the Seveso II Directive and gives guidance as to their practical application.

The committee meets twice a year and is attended on behalf of the UK by representatives of the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. Where appropriate officials from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish Executive and other agencies may also attend.

In Great Britain a Competent Authority for the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999, which implements the Seveso Directive, has been established. This committee meets twice a year, and its meetings are attended by the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.