§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister for Trade what steps he is taking to advise purchasers of citizens' band equipment which is imported in a substandard or dangerous condition, or to restrict imports of such equipment in such condition; and if, in particular, his attention has been drawn to the products of the Phihong Manufacturing Organisation of Taiwan in this connection.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 25 June 1982, c. 202.]: Following action by my Department, purchasers of citizen band equipment have already been warned about dangerous imports, including Phihong units, by the trading standards departments of local authorities in whose areas these goods have been sold. Warnings have also appeared in most national newspapers and on television programmes such as Nationwide and Thames television news. Suppliers of Phihong citizen band equipment are being prosecuted by the Greater Manchester Council; other local authorities are also considering prosecution. I hope that most supplies of dangerous CB equipment have now been removed from the market. The Consumer Safety Act does not contain a power to prohibit unsafe imports but it is an offence to supply within the United Kingdom any goods that do not comply with safety regulations.