§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the290W European Economic Community proposals for the harmonisation of standards on clinical thermometers; which problems the directive is designed to overcome; and what assessment he has made of the benefits which will accrue from this to the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. CurrieDirective 76/764/EEC relates to clinical mercury-in-glass maximum reading thermometers designed to measure the internal temperature of humans or animals. The directive describes instruments eligible to bear the EEC mark and thus assist the removal of a hindrance to trade. An amending directive is designed to ensure that such instruments which bear the EEC mark and sign to indicate conformity with pattern approval and initial verification do so conform. No assessment of the benefits to the United Kingdom has been made, but it is expected that British manufacturers will find it easier to sell their products to EC member states. Regulations will be laid to give effect to the requirements of the directives.