COPPER BOILERS

Early day motion 1383, tabled 23 May 2002 by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 50 members.

That this House notes that the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC will become mandatory from 30th May; believes that this directive was never intended to target the manufacture of model steam engines which as a sector has an exemplary record of protecting the public against pressure vessel failure; notes, however, that the directive has brought the model steam engines under its remit and, it is estimated, will increase costs between 100 per cent. and 400 per cent. depending on boiler size, rendering boilers unsaleable and companies unviable, resulting on considerable loss of employment as well as a loss of enjoyment to the estimated 150,000 UK citizens involved in model engineering; and therefore urges the Government to exempt professional copper boiler makers from these punitive and inappropriate regulations and to come to some alternative agreement that would guarantee public safety while securing a future for an industry with a worldwide reputation for excellence.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Conservative 11, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 3.