Question
Whether they will take steps to ensure that the British organ building industry is permanently exempted from the provisions of European directives 2002 95/EC and 2002 96/EC which after 1 July may make it illegal to build in the European Union new musical instruments containing both lead and electric parts.
Answer
My Lords, the UK Government do not consider that pipe organs fall within the scope of European Directives 2002 95/EC or 2002 96/EC, a view widely accepted across Europe. My department is working closely with the pipe organ industry, the European Commission and other member states to obtain agreement at a European level. Our aim is to reach a successful conclusion before Directive 2002 95/EC comes into force on 1 July.