We will continue our discussion of COM (2012) 393, COM (2012) 394, COM (2012) 577, COM (2012) 643 and COM (2012) 651. It is proposed that COM (2012) 393 does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed. It is proposed that COM (2012) 394 does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed?
Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals
I am curious. The Government apparently said that it felt this proposal could be more ambitious. What was meant by that? Were targets discussed?
The Government considers that the 147g/km target could have been more ambitious. It is a numerical issue. For example, the target for vans is 90g/km. Is it agreed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny? Agreed.
It is proposed that COM (2012) 577 does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
It is proposed that COM (2012) 643 warrants further scrutiny by way of a letter to the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government requesting that the joint committee be kept updated on significant developments relating to this proposal. Is that agreed?
I am a little confused about our approach. We are scrutinising European legislation, which we are requiring to set targets, yet it appears the Government will not set targets in its legislation.
We do not know that. There was a Cabinet meeting earlier but I have not heard any news of it. It was expected the heads of the climate change Bill would be discussed. There was media speculation about this but I cannot say with certainty whether targets will be set in that legislation. While the proposal is related, the Bill is a separate issue. I am no more a party to what the Bill contains than the Deputy, other than what was speculated in the media yesterday. That should not colour whether the committee writes to the Secretary General about this proposal.
What is the timeline for this? There is no point in us being kept up to date if we find out a week beforehand that something is going through Parliament.
I propose to the write to the Secretary General asking her to keep us abreast of significant developments.
That has not happened previously.
All things being fair and reasonable, we should be informed in good time. There is no point in being told at the eleventh hour.
We have on occasion received proposals close to deadlines.
I will ask the Secretary General to be cognisant of that and to make sure the committee is well informed and not only informed at the eleventh hour. Is the proposal for COM (2012) 643 agreed? Agreed.
It is proposed that COM (2012) 651 does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Sitting suspended at 2.46 p.m. and resumed at 2.47 p.m.