HC Deb 07 May 1959 vol 605 cc552-3
59. Mr. Janner

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the report of the committee set up by the Portsmouth Junior Chamber of Commerce to inquire into the causes of accidents to children, that the majority are attributable to unsafe toys, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether he will consider the formation of a toy advisory group to examine toys for safety and suitability and then issue seals of approval.

Sir D. Eccles

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 5th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, West (Mrs. McLaughlin).

Mr. Janner

But has the Minister seen the report which was issued by the committee referred to in the Question? Would he say now that he intends to set up an advisory committee, in view of the exhaustive inquiry made by that committee which resulted in proving that these toys were extremely dangerous from the point of view of accidents to children?

Sir D. Eccles

Some of the recommendations of the report come within the purview of the Home Secretary, and it may be that the British Standards Institution could work out an effective specification for safety for toys. If it could, we would certainly look at it, but my right hon. Friend and I are studying these recommendations.