§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes he has made to his advice given to charities and voluntary organisations in respect of the sale and distribution of non-compliant foam-filled furniture; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 18 February 1993]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, which were made under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, apply to transactions involving the "supply" of furniture which takes place
in the course of businesswithin the meaning of section 46 of that Act. My Department's view of the general position is that the simple distribution of furniture by a charity, in pursuance of its charitable objectives, either free of charge or at a nominal cost only, would be unlikely to constitute a business activity. Shops selling furniture to raise funds for charitable purposes would, in the Department's view, constitute a business activity.As charities may engage in a variety of activities which could have a bearing on the application of the regulations, my Department strongly recommends to inquirers that they should seek legal advice in the light of all the circumstances of the operation of the charity.