§ LORD ROYLEasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a decision has yet been reached concerning the adoption in this country of the international colour code for the cores of flexible cords fitted to electrical appliances.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, following consultations with the organisations in this country principally concerned, Her Majesty's Government have decided to make regulations on this subject under the Consumer Protection Act 1961. These will require the cores 511WA of three-core flexible cords fitted to domestic electrical appliances offered for sale in Great Britain to be coloured, in future, in accordance with the code recently recommended by the International Commission on Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment. This specifies brown for the live core, light blue for the neutral and a combination of green and yellow for the earth core. This change is being made in pursuance of Her Majesty's Government's policy of adopting international standards, where-ever possible, in the general interests of trade. Up to a date to be specified in the Regulations, possibly 1st January, 1970, the present British Standard colour code, namely, red for the live core, black for the neutral, and green for the earth core will also he permitted. An extensive programme of publicity and education is being planned to prepare the public for this change.