To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to rationalise the handling of European type approval applications for agricultural vehicles.

In order to reduce the burden on manufacturers and to improve the efficiency of type approval procedures, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has approved the transfer of responsibility for agricultural vehicle type approval matters from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Department of Transport. Subject to parliamentary approval, the relevant regulations will be amended to bring this into effect from 10 February 1992.