§ 33. Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received further representations from firms manufacturing foam and foam-filled furniture about the dangers of low-quality imports.
§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had from United Kingdom furniture manufacturers about the risks from imported foam-filled furniture.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThree identifiable businesses responding to the recent consultation on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, as part of my Department's deregulation initiative review alleged that some imported foam-filled furniture does not comply with the regulations. The regulations apply to all domestic upholstered furniture intended for supply to the United Kingdom market, and accordingly local authority trading standards officers, who have day-to-day responsibility for enforcement of the legislation, have powers to deal with any non-complying furniture, whatever its country of manufacture.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes his Department is considering to existing legislation on the use of fire-retardant foam in furniture.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 23 November 1993]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, which include requirements for the use of fire retardant foam in domestic upholstered furniture, are being considered as part of the overall review of legislation under the deregulation initiative announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in February this year. In considering whether any changes to these regulations are necessary my Department will take account of the responses to the recently completed consultation with individual businesses, trade associations, local authorities, fire prevention, medical and consumer interests.