§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on EC proposals to reduce the current standards of fire-resistant materials used in furniture.
§ Mr. LeighThe Commission has consulted member states about a proposal for a directive on the fire behaviour of upholstered furniture. We understand that the Commission will shortly publish a draft directive which will go forward as a formal proposal to the council. It remains our negotiating aim to secure a directive that will provide a level of fire safety consistent with that provided for domestic upholstered furniture in the United Kingdom by the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended in 1989.