asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many accidents have been reported in recent years involving aerosol cans and similar products; if she will give details of these in the Official Report; if she will take steps to introduce additional regulations covering the manufacture and sale of these cans; and if she will make a statement.

There is no procedure under which such accidents are reported to my Department. But the available information indicates that very few occur, mainly when apparently empty cans are placed on bonfires, despite warnings on them. I am at present considering the need for regulations relating to aerosols having regard, among other things, to a directive dealing with the safety of aerosols recently adopted by the Council of the European Communities.