asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to make the use of residual current circuit breakers mandatory in England and Wales.
I have no plans at present to make use of residual circuit breakers mandatory in England and Wales.
| Firework injuries in Great Britain Four week period in October to November | ||||||
| Year | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 |
| Total | 846 | 968 | 778 | 833 | 626 | 681 |
| Place of accident | ||||||
| 1. Family or private party | 286 | 255 | 231 | 311 | 189 | 231 |
| 2. Semi-public party (eg scouts, cricket club) | 72 | 76 | 65 | 84 | 53 | 58 |
The wiring rules for buildings prepared by the Institution of Electrical Engineers now include a provision for these devices to be fitted in circumstances where sockets are primarily used for DIY tools and garden equipment. The installation industry follow these rules very widely throughout the United Kingdom.
A working group has been set up for the promotion of both the portable and single socket type of residual current devices and user awareness is being promoted by organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and consumer groups.