Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2003. It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the decisions (a) to scrap the Home and Leisure Surveillance Systems and (b) to withdraw free literature on home and home safety campaigns.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the decisions (a) to scrap the Home and Leisure Surveillance Systems and (b) to withdraw free literature on home and home safety campaigns. [122556] Mr. Sutcliffe: On 2 May 2003, my hon. Friend the then Minister for consumer affairs, 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. It is not true to say that DTI is withdrawing all free literature or from home safety campaigns. What we have done is to focus our limited resources onto areas where we believe DTI can make an impact and that are in line with the DTI's aim of promoting prosperity for all. The Department continues to provide information to support work undertaken by practitioners in areas such as falls prevention and fireworks safety.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 122556; 408 c572W;408 c570-1W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Databases Leaflets Domestic accidents Publicity Monitoring Safety measures Surveys
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk