"No need to clean out the Pipes" MEP

3.12.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 29th Jun 2006

Contrary to scandalous anti-European reports, traditional church organs will not be silenced by new EU legislation, a Euro MP said today.

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, has welcomed a categorical assurance from the European Commission that new laws designed to curb the use of lead will not affect church organs.

Organ manufacturers had feared that the RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances) Directive would lead to the banning of lead in organ pipes as well as many electrical components.

But the European Commission confirmed that they are tuned in to public opinion and there is no threat to church organs, saying that they did not want to jeopardise this ancient tradition.

Liz Lynne, who has received a number of concerned letters from constituents said:

"I'm delighted to inform worried organ enthusiasts that the EU is singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to protecting our historic church organs. Once again measures which are intended to protect human health and safeguard the environment have been twisted and distorted."

" These Euro-sceptic scaremongers should pipe down and stop bellowing such ill-informed nonsense."

ENDS