§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a full statement about consideration being given to a European standard for fire extinguishers and pressure vessels; what draft standards have, to date, been prepared; and what attitude British representatives have adopted to each draft standard;
(2) if he will list the names of all interested parties, including manufacturers, whom he has consulted to date in the matter of any European Standard relating to fire extinguishers and pressure vessels; and if he will ensure the widest consultation before British representatives agree to any such draft standard;
(3) what draft European standard for portable fire extinguishers has been proposed by French representatives in Working Group CEN WG 70; what is the view of British representatives to such a draft standard; and if he will ensure British interests are fully protected.
§ Dr. SummerskillI understand that work is proceeding in the Committee for Standardisation of the European Economic Community (CEN) on the preparation of a standard for portable fire extinguishers. This is purely a commercial matter which does not bind the Government. The standard comprises five component parts, relating to (I) efficiency tests and test fires, (II) the retention of pressure, dielectric tests, compaction tests, (III) the resistance of the container to pressure, (IV) loads, and (V) temperature, vibration, fittings and identification. Of these parts, Part I (EN3 /I) was accepted by CEN as a European standard on 1st February 1975, but I understand that this has not been fully accepted as a British standard. The other parts are still under consideration.
629WThe United Kingdom representation on the relevant CEN working group is the responsibility of the British Standards Institution, and it is for that body to determine both the extent of consultation with other interested parties in this country and the attitude to be adopted towards proposals tabled in the committee by other countries.