§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if there have been any developments concerning the proposed European Community system of information on accidents involving consumer products; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardI am happy to report that a Council decision of 22 April 1986 approved this project. The European system will be based largely on our own successful home accident surveillance system, which is now on its tenth year of operation. At the time of its inception, HASS was unique in Europe and, with the exception of the United States, in the world. We have provided the European Commission with considerable help and expertise to enable this valuable project to proceed. It will be of great help in determining policy on home accident prevention and consumer product safety in the Community.