MOTORCYCLES AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTIVES

That this House notes with concern that the proposed European Commission Directive (COM (93) 449) on motorcycle noise and maintenance would, by setting unattainable noise and emission standards and outlawing home maintenance, threaten the enjoyment of motorcycling as a means of travel and as a leisure pursuit; welcomes the overwhelming support of the European Parliament for alternative proposals which would lead to more effective enforcement of current noise limits, raise standards for emissions, base future lower noise and emission standards on properly conducted research and cost benefit analyses, and enable owners to continue to carry out home maintenance and modifications except where the performance of less powerful machines would be increased to a dangerous degree; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to support the proposals of the European Parliament at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 6th June.