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Visual Flight Rules

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the regulatory impact assessment on the introduction of mode S transponders for visual flight rules operations. [61121]

Derek Twigg: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has drafted a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Subject to clearance from the Prime Minister's Panel for Regulatory Accountability, the CAA expects to release the partial RIA for public consultation in spring this year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Bacup Shoe Company

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking through its Paris office to facilitate the release of the consignment of shoes for the Bacup Shoe Company of Rossendale, which has been impounded by French customs [62069]

Ian Pearson [holding answer 28 March 2006]: The British Consulate-General in Lille has established that the French judicial authorities intend to carry out a full investigation into this consignment. I have written to my hon. Friend and will place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

EU Hazardous Substances Directive

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the EU Commission on exempting electronically motored pipe
 
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organs from the EU Directives on restrictions on hazardous substances and waste electrical and electronic equipment. [61880]

Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 28 March 2006]: The Department of Trade and Industry continues to work closely with the European Commission on the RoHS and WEEE Directives.

The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function. A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS Directive would require a formal application by the industry to the European Commission (under Article 5.1 b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations the UK Government made regarding pipe organs in relation to the EU Directive on Restrictions on Hazardous Substances; and what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the Directive on pipe organs; [60989]

(2) whether a regulatory impact assessment was conducted in relation to the effect of the EU Directive on Restrictions on Hazardous Substances on (a) organ makers, (b) organ users and (c) churches; and if he will make a statement. [61099]

Malcolm Wicks: The repair and refurbishment of existing Pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function.

A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS Directive would require a formal application to the European Commission under Article 5.1(b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

A Full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the RoHS Directive was published in September 2005.

Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the (a) repair and (b) building of new lead organ pipes is included as a prohibited activity under the Directive 2002/95/EC due to be enforced from 1 July 2006. [61043]

Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 27 March 2006]: No. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive applies restrictions on the presence of such substances in end products or equipment. It does not place any restrictions on the repair or manufacture of component parts.

Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to seek exemption for lead organ pipes from the proposed EU directive which would prevent their use. [61624]

Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 27 March 2006]: The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected by the restriction of hazardous substances directive; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function.
 
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A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS directive would require a formal application to the European Commission making a case under article 5.1b. The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many EU member states have exempted organ pipes under EU Directives 2002 95/EC and 2002 96/EC; [61023]

(2) what exemptions are being considered under EU Directives (a) 2002 95/EC and (b) 2002 96/EC; [61027]

(3) when exemptions under the EU Directives (a) 2002 95/EC and (b) 2002 96/EC will be announced. [61029]

Malcolm Wicks: No EU member state has exempted pipe organs from the scope of either Directive. There are over 50 exemption requests for specific applications of the restricted substances from the requirements of the RoHS Directive currently under consideration. Details of these are available on the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/weee_index.htm. We are dependent on the Commission's timetable for decisions on these.

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Church Commissioners and (b) organ pipe manufacturers on EU Directives 2002 95/EC and 2002 96/EC. [61024]

Malcolm Wicks: None, but my officials have had discussions with representatives from the pipe organ industry.

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of organ pipes in the UK. [61025]

Malcolm Wicks: Industry estimates for the number of people employed in the sector in the UK are around 300 to 400 people.

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the number of organs in (a) chapels, (b) churches, (c) cathedrals, (d) cinemas, (e) town halls and (f) places of public entertainment which will be affected by EU directives (i) 2002 95/EC and (ii) 2002 96/EC; [61026]

(2) whether the (a) manufacture, (b) installation and (c) replacement of organ pipes will be exempted under EU directives (i) 2002 95/EC and (ii) 2002 96/EC. [61028]

Malcolm Wicks: The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function.

A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS directive would require a formal application to the European Commission (under article 5.1b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.
 
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G8 Meeting (Moscow)

Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what matters in respect of nuclear reprocessing are on the agenda for the meeting of G8 energy ministers in Moscow on 16 March; and if he will (a) place in the Library and (b) post on his Department's website the papers distributed for the Moscow meeting. [59159]

Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 28 March 2006]: There were no matters in respect of nuclear reprocessing on the agenda of the meeting of the G8 energy ministers in Moscow on 16 March. The meeting concentrated on discussing issues relating to global energy security, promoting efficient markets and enhancing sustainability.

There were no papers distributed to participants of the meeting. The Chair's summary of the meeting can be found at http://www.minprom.gov.ru/G8/eng/news/10

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