asked the Minister for the Environment if any decision has been taken in regard to the EEC Commission proposal submitted to the Council on 13 September 1979 for co-ordinating regulations and standards in member states relating to construction products.

No decision has been taken with regard to this proposal.

The proposal involves an amendment to a draft directive and a draft resolution on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of member states relating to construction products which are at present being examined by a working group of the Council of the European Communities. The proposal has not yet been examined by this working group.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, does he or his officials expect to have any participation in the examination of this?

This is not a matter for the Council of which I am a member. I would not be directly involved.

Could I ask the Minister, after it is examined by this working body, will it then come for consideration by the Minister's own Department?

We would be notified of it in the meantime, and it would go back to the European Parliament. That is the present procedure.