§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to introduce safety legislation for gas appliances sold in the United Kingdom; if he plans to introduce separate legislation to cover the sale of gas cookers; how many accidents have occurred in each of the last three years involving uncertified imported gas cookers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Howard[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 10]: I am considering whether regulations are necessary for gas appliances. I am dealing with cookers first, because this is the area in which most consumer complaints have arisen. I announced on 13 December that new regulations were to be introduced soon to ensure that traders selling both new and secondhand gas cookers must be sure that they meet proper safety standards.
Figures on accidents involving uncertified imported gas cookers are not available.
The cost of collecting such information would be prohibitive. I do, however, have figures for accidents involving all gas cookers in 1983 and 1984, collected by the accident surveillance system, and I shall send these to the hon. Member.