§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the risks of injury resulting from accidental ignition of aerosols and aerosol contents are minimised;
(2) how many injuries are sustained annually from the accidental ignition of aerosols and aerosol contents;
(3) what plans he has to encourage aerosol manufacturers to improve the safety of their products.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Department's home accident surveillance system estimate, from a sample of accident and emergency hospital accident data, is that the number of injuries due to the accidental ignition of aerosols in United Kingdom is no more than 200 injuries in any year. There were 750 million aerosols sold in the UK in 1993. Aerosols are subject to the Aerosol Dispensers (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1977, as amended, the General Product Safety Regulations 1994 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Subject to the need to implement the recent Commission directive 94/1/EEC adapting to technical progress directive 75/324/EEC on aerosol dispensers and the thirteenth amendment to directive 76/769/EEC on the marketing and use of dangerous substances and preparations, I have no plans for any additional legislation.