§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will monitor and report on the extent of enforcement of regulations requiring the labelling of furniture which fails the statutory lighted match and burning cigarette test.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimIt is for each weights and measures authority to enforce the provisions in the Upholstered Furniture (Safety) Regulations 1980 that require the labelling of certain furniture, and I feel sure that they carry out this duty effectively. However, I am concerned at reports that some suppliers of furniture are either deliberately flouting these provisions or are ignorant of them. I find this disturbing, as my Department took pains to see that suppliers of all kinds were well informed about the Regulations before they came into force last October.
My Department will consult the representatives of manufacturers, retailers and the representatives of local 6W authorities for their comments on the reports. In addition, in an effort to assist trading standards officers, who have many other responsibilities, my Department is to send a letter to chief trading standards officers to ensure that they are aware of some simple cheap but effective methods of testing that can be used in the enforcement of these important regulations.