§ 2.39 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT HANWORTHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government why, in spite of the urgency, regulations governing the safety of domestic electrical appliances have not yet been made and when, and in what form, such regulations may be expected.
637THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSS)My Lords, such regulations must be consistent with the E.E.C. directive on low-tension electrical equipment, which was formally notified to member Governments in February of this year for implementation by August, 1974. Draft regulations, to be made by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary under the Consumer Protection Act 1961, have been prepared in consultation with the Government Departments concerned, and have been circulated to interested bodies for comment. The draft regulations are in general terms, and deal with electrical and non-electrical hazards in the appliances concerned.
§ VISCOUNT HANWORTHMy Lords, while thanking the noble Viscount for that reply, may I ask whether he can assure me that future stages of these regulations will be carried out with greater despatch than appears to have been the case up to date? Does he realise that the absence of firm regulations is very inhibiting in many areas?
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSMy Lords, I have been looking at the procedure and the documents that have to be taken into account in this matter, and they are fairly complicated. I do not think the noble Viscount will find that we have been slow in dealing with the E.E.C. directive, and turning it into domestic regulations. There are more to be dealt with; we have a deadline, and we shall meet that deadline. I very much hope that the noble Viscount and those who are equally interested will be satisfied with the progress that we make.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, can the noble Viscount say whether the draft regulations which have now been circulated among the industry are available to Members of both Houses of Parliament?
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSNo, my Lords, I do not think that the draft regulations will be automatically available, but if any noble Lord is interested in this matter I am perfectly prepared to show him the draft regulations which have been made. They have been widely circulated to interested bodies, the list of which is so enormous that I do not think T should burden the OFFICIAL REPORT with it. If other people 638 involved are interested, of course they can have copies of it.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the noble Viscount will appreciate that in consequence of our joining the E.E.C. we are now obliged to adopt the directives of the Commission. On the other hand, of course, Parliament still has a responsibility. Will the noble Viscount consider whether, when one is circulating for information and comment to those who are directly responsible, it would not be advisable, in the present situation, for copies to be made available in the Libraries of both Houses? Perhaps the noble Viscount will consider that suggestion.
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSMy Lords, I will gladly consider that point, but the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, will remember that I said that we were circulating draft regulations under the Consumer Protection Act 1961, which is our own domestic legislation. Of course it fits in with what the E.E.C. directive says; but if there are procedural arrangements which could be improved I will certainly take advice upon them, and will bear in mind what the noble Lord says. If anybody wishes to know what we are circulating he can be told in detail.