§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received regarding proposals to harmonise electrical plugs and sockets throughout the European Community; and what response he has made to the Commission regarding such proposals.
§ Mr. SainsburySeveral trade associations and other bodies have expressed their respective points of view on the harmonisation work currently being carried out by CENELEC. My Department has commissioned an independent analysis of the costs and benefits for the United Kingdom, and the results of this study will be published in the new year; written evidence has also been submitted by the Department to the Trade and Industry Committee. We have assured the European Commission that the United Kingdom will continue to participate actively in the work of the various technical committees and working groups that have been established by CENELEC.