asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to require that all external power sockets, including those to which electric lawnmowers are attached, are protected by an earth leakage circuit breaker.

Legislation of the type that the hon. Member proposes would essentially be a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Energy, but since I have a general responsibility for safety in and around the home I can comment that it would of course only be partially effective. The reasons are that it could not in practice be applied retrospectively and in any case many people operate lawnmowers and other outside appliances from sockets inside the house. It would therefore in my view be inappropriate.I am however advised that the recommendations for the wiring installation in buildings prepared by the Institution of Electrical Engineers include incorporation of a residual current circuit breaker for external power outlets. This will snake some contribution to reducing the risk of electrocution.My officials are currently investigating whether there are any other measures that could be adopted which would provide additional protection against the risk of electric shock for the users of lawnmowers and similar products. I intend to make a statement shortly.