HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc632-3W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any guidance has recently been issued by his Department in order to indicate with whom responsibility rests for ensuring that furnishing fabrics conform to the new furniture fire safety regulations.

Mr. Forth

In answer to inquiries about responsibility for ensuring that these requirements of the new regulations are met, I have said that the primary responsibility lies with suppliers of furniture; suppliers of furnishing fabrics direct to the public also have a legal responsibility. The enforcement of the regulations will be a matter for the local authority trading standards department.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list the types of interliners or barrier cloths which currently meet the ignition source five test; and if he will place in the Library full details of the interliners' performance;

(2) what recent representations he has now received from furnishing fabric suppliers concerning their inability to find interliners or barrier cloths that will meet the ignition source five test;

(3) what tests have been carried out by his Department to check the validity of manufacturers' claims that their products meet the ignition source five test for furnishing fabrics.

Mr. Forth

I recognise the concerns which have been expressed by some parts of the furniture industry about the availability of interliners which will meet the ignition source 5 test which is to be carried out over standard polyurethane foam. No specific tests have been carried out by my Department to verify the statements of manufacturers about their products, but I am satisfied by the information available to me that there are materials which will meet the test. I understand that the manufacturers are generally known in the industry and I have no doubt that they will co-operate with the furniture industry in meeting the requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Point II (£'000)
1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
Voted Expenditure Outturn Provisional Outturn Supply Estimates
Patent Office (current expenditure) 19,501 19,253 24,668 25,690 26,427 28,136 30,043
Contributions to International Agencies 308 355 375 379 491 785 926
Advisory (Grant in Aid) 0 0 0 0 56 60 60
Computers 1 0 18 311 2,618 2,463 2,630
Gross Total 19,810 19,608 25,061 26,380 29,592 31,444 33,659
Receipts -27,292 -29,211 -31,342 -33,464 -35,828 -36,520 -39,900
Net Total -7,482 -9,603 -6,281 -7,084 -6,236 -5,076 -6,241