HC Deb 03 March 1960 vol 618 cc1411-2
27. Mr. George Craddock

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, of the 1,500 people who die, and over 1,000,000 who are injured by fire every year, over half the victims admitted to hospital owe their injuries to the wearing of inflammable clothing; and if he will take steps to compel manufacturers of children's nightclothes to use non-inflammable materials.

Mr. J. Rodgers

While my right hon. Friend shares the hon. Member's concern over these accidents, more than half the domestic casualties could have been avoided by adequately guarded fires. My right hon. Friend would welcome more widespread use of flame-resistant materials, but has no such powers of compulsion as the hon. Member implies.

Mr. Craddock

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that present legislation is ineffective because it does not provide adequate safeguards? Does he not agree that there are often small children in a family who need to be taken care of but that mothers have many duties to do? Does he not agree that there is no possibility of enforcement under present legislation and that, therefore, he really ought to look at this matter again very seriously with a view to something being done by his Department?

Mr. Rodgers

It may be that present legislation is inadequate, but the Committee on Consumer Protection is to advise on what changes if any in the law … are desirable for the protection of the consuming public and that it is obviously one of the matters which it will consider and on which it may well report.

28. Mr. George Craddock

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that only one of eight major department stores in London stocks children's nightwear in non-inflammable material; and if he will undertake a publicity campaign on flame-resistant clothing to encourage its use by the public.

Mr. J. Rodgers

My right hon. Friend realises that a number of retailers regard the price and other characteristics of treated fabrics as unacceptable to their customers; while he regrets this situation, until a steady basic trade leads more shops to carry enough stocks to deal with a sudden increase in demand, he believes that a special publicity campaign would be of little value.

Mr. Craddock

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that something should be done to protect young children? Does he not agree that a publicity campaign would be most helpful in that direction, since the object of the exercise is to save life and property?

Mr. Rodgers

I have every sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman is trying to achieve, but it will not be advantageous to indulge in a heavy advertising campaign until more goods are available in the shops.