Toy Safety and Unit Pricing Proposals (Hansard, 14 January 1988)

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, the Council agreed a common position on the amended proposal for a toy safety directive. The Council also resolved the few remaining points of difficulty on the two unit pricing proposals. A common position on these proposals is expected to be formally adopted very shortly.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, if I am correct in saying that formal adoption of both these drafts depends upon approval by the European Parliament can the Minister tell us what is the earliest date on which this can be expected? Does his Answer indicate that he anticipates no further problems concerning such approval?
Concerning the meeting on 18th December is the noble Lord aware that my information is that the Commission submitted two Considerations to the Council? One dealt with consumer integration in other Community policies and one dealt with the consumer interest in standards making. If that is the case will he comment on the result?

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, it is indeed correct that the European Parliament's agreement must be obtained before adoption and also the approval of the Economic and Social Committee. They have of course yet to give their opinion on the amended proposal. Provided this is favourable, adoption is likely in mid-1988. The target date for the toy safety directive to come into force is 1st January 1990. The other points put to me by the noble Baroness did appear on the agenda but there was not substantial discussion on them. However we hope that there will be at the next meeting.

§ Lord Graham of Edmonton
My Lords, what the Minister has said is good so far as it goes; but could he be helpful by telling us what action the Government intend taking as their contribution to the European Child Safety Campaign, which is due to begin in April 1988? Can we be told of the extent to which the voluntary sector and the media will be involved? When doing so will the Minister bear in 1342 mind that hazardous toys can be found in every kind of store and that an early initiative involving large stores and market traders would be helpful?

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very good point on the proposed Child Safety Campaign. Any government should do all they reasonably can to reduce the number of accidents to children. As regards the proposed campaign the UK has made clear its readiness to participate in some form of child safety campaign provided that it is well thought through and properly targeted. The particular areas that the noble Lord mentioned of course should be taken into account.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, reverting to the Answer that the Minister gave to my second supplementary question, is he aware that on the 18th December the Commission apologised for the short notice given about these submissions? Is he also aware that no discussion at all took place on them, that the actual Council meeting itself did not commence until after lunch on the Friday before Christmas and that I think that this is just not good enough? In commenting on those proposals will the Minister tell the House whether it is true that the next meeting of the Council is to be on 3rd May? If it is to be delayed until then, believing that the Government and the Minister wish to help, will the Minister tell the House whether in the meantime the House will pursue consideration of the two submissions which were ignored on 18th December?

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, the noble Baroness is indeed correct. The Government's understanding is that the German presidency intends to hold a consumer council on 3rd May. I think it would be right for me to say that we hope that the agenda will be prepared further in advance and that there will be more progress made on that basis at that time.

§ Lord Brougham and Vaux
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that my society is hoping to be very involved in this Child Safety Campaign which will hopefully start in April? Can he say whether the toy safety regulations will be in limbo until 1990 and that there will not be any new toy safety regulation?

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, in this country we already have considerable regulations on toy safety. There is no question at all of there being a free-for-all in the production of unsafe toys. It is purely a matter of trying to get some European standards.

§ Lord Sainsbury
My Lords, is the Minister satisfied with the proposed timescale for implementation? What reaction has he had from trade and consumer interests?

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, UK industry has generally welcomed the toy safety proposal because it will provide a common set of requirements throughout the whole European Community. The directive will also give a more comprehensive coverage than is provided for under our present national toy safety regulations. For that reason consumers should also welcome it. As regards the 1343 timescale, nothing happens overnight in Europe in general but I think it is fair to say that at least we now have a timescale.

§ Lord Campbell of Alloway
My Lords, is the Minister aware that, in the absence of Community regulations, there are certain decisions by the Court of Justice that may well inhibit Her Majesty's Government from prohibiting the import of dangerous toys from other member states of the Community?

§ Lord Beaverbrook
My Lords, I believe that I understand what my noble friend is getting at. However, once a European standard has been agreed, we hope that it will be no less rigorous than our existing laws.