§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact that the proposed environmental liability directive will have on small businesses in the UK. [144208]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe proposed environmental liability Directive is still subject to the outcome of EU negotiations.
The UK is working together with other Member States to ensure that the final version of the Directive does not stipulate compulsory financial security as this measure would be extremely costly and place a disproportionate burden on small businesses.