§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to introduce mandatory certification for gas cookers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FletcherI am not satisfied that there is a need to require certification of gas cookers using powers under the Consumer Safety Act 1978. I do intend, however, to introduce regulations under that Act to establish new maximum permissible temperatures for the fronts and sides of domestic gas and electric cookers below hob level. These regulations would, of course, apply equally to cookers of British and foreign manufacture. It is highly desirable that these regulations should be based on agreement reached within the framework of the British Standards Institution. As I stated in a press notice of 26 November 1984, six months seems a reasonable period for agreement to be reached on new temperatures lower than those in the current British Standard. I hope therefore to have regulations ready in draft before the end of May. An approach has already been made to the EC Commission seeking its advice and help on the best method of achieving our objective, which is the protection of consumers from domestic cookers which become too hot to touch on the outside, within the framework of our obligations as members of the EC.