HC Deb 12 May 1960 vol 623 cc613-5
32. Mr. Gordon Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he proposes to take to carry into effect the recommendations of the Interim Report of the Committee on Consumer Protection; and whether he will make a statement.

34. Mr. Darling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take, on the recommendations in the Interim Report of the Committee on Consumer Protection, to reduce risks of injuries and accidents in the use of oil heaters, electrical appliances, toys and flammable clothing materials.

Mr. Vosper

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade stated on 27th April, he and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary are now studying the Committee's recommendations. My right hon. Friend is not yet ready to make a further statement.

Mr. Gordon Walker

In view of the statement in the Report of the Committee that the Home Office should have known as early as mid-1957 about the danger of these drip-feed heaters, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether an improved organisation has been set up so that this defect can be remedied in future? Can he say whether urgent consideration is being given to the introduction of general legislation, as proposed by the Committee, particularly to stop the importation from abroad of dangerous appliances?

Mr. Vosper

I do not necessarily accept the strictures in the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary. As regards that issue, the Government are giving support to the Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro). In respect of the general issues raised by the Molony Report, I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the Report was published only last month. It requires to be considered with interested bodies, and some time must elapse before one can reach a decision.

Mr. Darling

Can the right hon. Gentleman clear up one point at this stage? Will it be necessary to introduce individual items of legislation, such as the Bill we are having tomorrow, to deal with each section of the recommendations in the Molony Committee Report, or will it be possible to give power, which the Home Secretary does not now have, to introduce Regulations in a general Measure? If it can be done in a general Measure, would it not be a good idea to introduce that quickly and then come to the detailed regulations later?

Mr. Vosper

As I understand the Molony recommendation, it is that comprehensive legislation should be introduced, but that is one of the matters which must be considered with other bodies before a decision is taken.

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