HC Deb 01 July 2003 vol 408 cc215-6W
John Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for the future of the Home Accident Surveillance Systems; what representations she has received regarding the future of HASS; and if she will make a statement. [116355]

Mr. Sutcliffe

On 2 May, my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield the then Minister for Competition, Consumer and Markets, announced that the DTI will no longer collect statistics on the causes and nature of home and leisure accidents. Following increased pressure on resources and the need to focus on the Department's core priorities, hard decisions had to be made on what to stop. HASS did not fit with these priorities and I have no plans to replace it.

I have received representations from several organisations regarding the impact of this decision.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the ending of the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System. [122479]

Mr. Sutcliffe

[holding answer 30 June 2003]: On 2 May 2003, my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield, the then Minister for Competition, Consumer and Market, announced that the DTI will no longer collect statistics on the causes and nature of home and leisure accidents. Following increased pressure on resources and the need to focus on the Department's core priorities, hard decisions had to be made on what to stop. The collection of accident statistics did not fit with these priorities.