HC Deb 12 January 1994 vol 235 cc231-2W
28. Mr. McAvoy

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further representations he has received from firms manufacturing foam and foam-filled furniture about the dangers of low-quality imports.

Mr. McLoughlin

Three 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 a day-to-day responsibility for enforcement of the legislation, have powers to deal with any non-complying furniture, whatever its country of manufacture.

32. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to protect United Kingdom consumers from dangerous foreign foam-filled furniture.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to protect United Kingdom consumers from dangers arising from imported foam-filled furniture.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Furniture and Furnishings Regulations (Fire) (Safety) 1988 ban the use of standard polyurethane foam and cite a series of flammability tests designed to increase the fire resistence of upholstered furniture. These 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.

Forward to