§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southend, East on 16 June, what evidence he has of British producers of clinical thermometers having difficulties in exporting their products to the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe have no evidence that the one existing United Kingdom producer of clinical thermometers covered by directive 76/764/EEC has difficulty in exporting his products to Europe. But under present arrangements the manufacturer needs to have his products tested by BSI in respect of sales to the NHS and also separately in Germany for the purpose of having the EEC mark applied in respect of sales elsewhere in Europe. When regulations are laid to give effect to the directive it is expected that the manufacturer will be able to reduce costs and simplify arrangements by using a single British or other approved test house to cover approval for home and export sales.