HC Deb 11 December 1952 vol 509 cc638-9
3. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make regulations specifying the kinds of fireguards to be used in accordance with the provisions of the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act. 1952; and how many accidents have occurred since the passing of that Act owing to fireguards not having been used on heating appliances.

19. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to issue regulations covering the provision of suitable fireguards as provided for by the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I propose to use as the basis for my regulations the specification which, in consultation with my Department, the British Standards Institution have prepared for guards for electric and gas fires and oil heaters. This incorporates the standards of guarding contained in the specifications already issued for the construction of gas and electric fires to which the larger manufacturers have been working during the last few months. I hope the necessary consultations upon the regulations will be completed in such time that I shall be able to make them in the early part of the New Year.

I regret that the information asked for in the second part of Question No.3 is not available.

Mr. Janner

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider issuing these regulations sooner than the early part of next year, particularly in view of the fact that, as he knows, a lot of these accidents occur round about Christmas time, and because the Act itself is really quite ineffective unless the regulations are put into force?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point, but the standards of guarding these three types of fire involve a number of technical problems on which, I think, consultation is very helpful. But I promise the hon. Gentleman that I will do my utmost to get them out as soon as I can.

Mr. Bullard

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether any decision has yet been come to about the date after which it will be illegal to sell an unguarded fire? I think the date has to be incorporated in the regulations.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I would like to look into that point, and will let my hon. Friend know.

Mr. Snow

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that these provisions do not include safeguards against hot-plate heaters, a most important matter, because they are unprotected? Will his Department bear that point in mind?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I will certainly look into that point.