To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the request by the British Carpet Manufacturers Association for a delay in making a decision on the European Classifications of Floorcoverings for reaction to fire. [77298]

The decision on the reaction to fire for floorcoverings was postponed in December 1998 to permit consultation with industry and will be tabled again in April 1999. In the meantime, I have met the British Carpet Manufacturers Association and they are aware that a further delay is unlikely to be supported by the European Commission or other Member States.