HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 cc642-5W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates of meetings of(a) the EU Committee for the implementation of the Community framework for co-operation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution, (b) the EU Committee on application of the legislation on access to the groundhandling market at Community airports and (c) the EU Technical Adaptation Committee on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if he will make a statement. [132684]

Mr. McNulty

The information is as follows:

(a) During the period in question, this Committee met on 14 March 2003. It typically meets twice a year. Its agenda focuses on a five-year rolling programme of work in the field of pollution prevention and control.

(b) There were no meetings of this Committee during the period in question.

(c) UK involvement in this Committee is not the responsibility of the Department for Transport.

UK officials consult widely and the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are fully reflected at Committee meetings. Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering internal discussion and advice applies.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates of meetings of(a) the EU Committee on application of the legislation on the minimum level of training for seafarers and the recognition of certificates issued by training institutes or administration of third countries and (b) the EU

(a) Minimum level of training of seafarers and the recognition of certificates issued by training institutes or administration of third countries
Date Agenda Attendees
22 October 2002 High-level meeting with representative of the member states and EEA countries. MCA officials
1—To exchange views on the proposal for review of the Directive 2001/25
6 February 2003 Shipping Working Party 1—To discuss the text of the proposed amendments to the Directive 2001/25 MCA, officials, UK permanent representative and Department for Transport (DfT) officials
12 February 2003 Shipping Working Party 1—To discuss the text of the proposed amendments to the Directive 2001/25 MCA officials, UK permanent representative and DfT officials
4 March 2003 Shipping Working Party 1—To discuss the text of the proposed amendment to the Directive 2001/25 MCA officials, UK permanent representative and DfT officials

(b) The EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of recording equipment in road transport (tachographs) during the Danish and Greek presidencies.

The Committee has met only once in the last 12 months, on 26 June 2003, under the Greek presidency. The Committee considered and approved editorial amendments to the technical specification to Commission Regulation (EC) 1360/2002, adapting to technical progress to Council Regulation (EEC) 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport (digital tachographs). These amendments were subsequently published as a corrigendum to that regulation. There are currently no plans for further meetings.

For both these Committees, Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering internal discussion and advice applies.

UK officials consult widely and the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive are fully reflected at Committee meetings.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the EU Committee on the reciprocal recognition of national boatmasters' certificates for the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterway met during the Danish and Greek presidencies; and if he will make a statement. [132721]

Mr. McNulty

This Committee did not meet during the period in question.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates of meetings of(a) the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of roadworthiness tests of vehicles, (b) the EU Standing Committee for Implementation of the Directive on Marketing of Biological Products and (c) the EU Scientific Committee for occupational exposure limits to chemical agents during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the

Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of recording equipment in road transport (tachographs) during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if he will make a statement. [132720]

Mr. McNulty

The information is as follows:

Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if he will make a statement. [132722]

Mr. McNulty

The information is as follows:

(a) There was one meeting only of this Committee during the relevant period. It was on 3 to 4 December 2002. It discussed Directives on Vehicle Emissions and Registration of vehicles. It also discussed developments on a regulatory standard on roadworthiness testing and the results of an emissions research study during the period.

(b) and (c) UK involvement in these Committees is not the responsibility of the Department for Transport.

UK officials consult widely and the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are fully reflected at Committee meetings. Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering internal discussion and advice applies.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates of meetings of the European Energy and Transport Forum during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if he will make a statement. [132729]

Mr. McNulty

During the period in question, the European Energy and Transport Forum met in plenary session on 8 October 2002 (inaugural meeting), 21 January 2003 and 27 June 2003. Trans-European transport networks, interoperability of road toll collection systems and infrastructure charging were its principal topics of discussion at these meetings.

UK officials consult widely and the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are fully reflected at Committee meetings. Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering internal discussion and advice applies.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates and locations of meetings of(a) the EU Committee for granting Community aid in the field of trans-European networks on transport, (b) the EU Committee on the Development of trans-Europe Transport Networks and (c) the EU Committee on the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of legislation concerning the transport of dangerous goods during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present on each occasion; and if he will make a statement. [132730]

Mr. McNulty

The information requested is as follows.

(a) The EU Committee for granting Community aid in the field of trans-European networks on transport met once during the period on 30 June 2003 in Brussels. The agenda comprised issues regarding the financing of the network and the projects of common interest on it.

(b) The EU Committee on the Development of trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) met three times during the period, on 26 November 2002, 4 March 2003 and 3 June 2003 in Brussels. The agenda comprised items regarding progress towards completion of the TEN-T and its further development.

(c) The EU Committee on the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of legislation concerning the transport of dangerous goods met on 9 December 2002 and 4 June 2003 during the period in question. It typically meets twice a year. The Committee discussed derogations and modifications of the annexes to three Directives on the transport of dangerous goods. They also discussed security measures for the transport of dangerous goods and the date of implementation of the transportable pressure equipment Directive and the work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

UK officials consult widely and the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are fully reflected at Committee meetings. Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering internal discussion and advice applies.