HL Deb 16 June 1988 vol 498 cc369-70

Baroness Burton of Coventry asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a statement on matters discussed and progress made at the European Consumer Affairs Council held on 7th June, with particular reference to the Commission report on the integration of consumer policy in the other common policies put forward by the Commission.

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, the Consumer Council agreed conclusions which call on the Commission to step up its efforts on the integration of consumer policy in other policy areas. It also agreed a resolution on consumer involvement in standards making but a decision to extend the system for the rapid exchange of information on dangerous products was deferred. Commissioner Varfis drew attention to progress in launching the child safety campaign.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I welcome the Council resolution and the decision to improve consumer involvement in the standardisation process. As the committees involved have many voluntary workers, are the Government willing to provide the extra resources necessary to make this a success? In regard to the child safety campaign about which I have asked the Minister before, can he tell the House the steps the Government intend to take to initiate this campaign and whether it will involve the voluntary workers and the media as well as the statutory services?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, with regard to the noble Baroness's first point on the resources required, the Government believe that the Commission should reallocate existing resources if this is necessary. The Council's conclusions explicitly made this point.

On the noble Baroness's second point, the Government have made it clear that they are willing to participate in some form of child safety campaign provided that it is properly targeted and well thought through. The current proposals are a considerable improvement on the original ideas. However, any decisions on the scope of the campaign must await the outcome of further discussions.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, will the Government continue to press the Commission to produce practical proposals in its report, requested by June 1989 in the Council resolution?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, the Government will do everything they can to continue to encourage the Commission to produce the report in good time. The noble Baroness, Lady Burton, will know the disappointment the Government felt at the previous rather inconclusive proposals. I know that the noble Baroness herself was disappointed. We welcome the pressure that has been brought to bear by the conclusions from the Council and we hope that this will lead to a more constructive way forward ready for June 1989.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I am not quite clear what the Minister said about the child safety campaign. Does he recall telling me not so long ago that the Government could not take any steps in this respect and that it was a matter for the Commission? Am I not correct in saying that the Commission has now decided that each country should be responsible for initiating its own campaign? If that is correct, what do the Government propose to do about it?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, the noble Baroness will know that the Commission has now produced a revised set of proposals for the child safety campaign. These are being considered and will be discussed by officials from all member states later this month. As regards what will happen in this country, I can tell the noble Baroness that it will be essential to involve the enforcement authorities and voluntary organisations with an interest in this area and that all these matters will come together when we discuss the detailed planning.

Lord Winstanley

My Lords, am I right in assuming that the EC has already designated this year as Child Safety Year? If that is so, should we not do something before this year is over?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, the issue of child safety has been under discussion in the Commission for a long time. We should like to see something come forward as soon as possible. The noble Lord will be aware that the original proposals were not feasible or practical; but we want to see as soon as possible a campaign that will be both beneficial and of lasting effect.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, if the House will bear with me, am I not correct in saying that the Commission tabled a letter which said that the child safety campaign would definitely be introduced in September or October of this year? If that is the case, do the consultations about which the Minister has just told us put that further off, or will the matter be taken forward very soon?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, we hope that it will be as soon as possible. But, as I have already said, this has been slow in coming forward. For the past two years I have been answering the noble Baroness's questions on the subject. We have both been hopeful of being able to work towards a date. This has slipped back on a number of occasions, but I hope that by this autumn we should be in a position to make some progress.

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