THE end of the double decker bus could be nigh, according to a British government minister, Mr Roger Freeman.

Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday, Mr Freeman warned that a proposed EU directive, would effectively outlaw double decker buses.

The Bus and Coach Directive is based on single decker coaches common in Europe and prescribes construction standards for all buses and coaches, he said.

"I'm damned if this is the end of the red London bus. We will be pressing for more flexibility in the legislation", he added. He stressed that Britain had no problem with measures for safety or for disability access.

Mr Freeman added that he was encouraged by a meeting he had with the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Richard Bruton. "Britain and Ireland have a very similar approach to deregulation," he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Enterprise and Employment said it was working on the implications of the directive in consultation with the departments of the Environment and Transport.

Mr Freeman, in Dublin as part of a tour of European capitals, had lunch with business leaders to talk about the cost of regulation.

The British government is also trying to gain support to change the proposed Unit Pricing Directive. This directive would mean every corner shop would have to give the unit price on all products.

Mr Freeman also called on IBEC to take advantage of Ireland's upcoming presidency of the EU to set up a Europe wide summit of business leaders and ministers.

"This would be a marvellous opportunity for business leaders to express their views." He was confident all European trade ministers would attend if it was held, the day before the Internal Market Council meeting in the autumn.

Mr Brian Geoghegan, director of economic affairs at IBEC, said the body believed the summit could be a good idea.

"We are very positive about using the opportunity of the presidency to improve the competitiveness of business," he said.

He agreed that the British and Irish had areas of common concern. "We are anxious to ensure better and simpler regulations." Mr Freeman also stressed that the cost of regulation was hindering Europe's efforts to remain competitive with the US and the Far East.