§ 7. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of recent accidents resulting from the sale of inflammable material for the making of nightwear; and if he will take further action to protect consumers against this danger.
§ 18. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to make it an offence to offer for sale inflammable nightclothes or to make it obligatory to specify clearly that the goods are inflammable.
§ Mr. BrookeI would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave on 16th January to Questions by the hon. Member for Huddersfield, East (Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu) and the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. George Craddock).
§ Mr. SwinglerI thank the Home Secretary for drawing my attention to that reply. Can he say whether discussions with the trade on this matter have already started, and can he forecast how soon he will be able to report to the House on the possibility of making regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961?
§ Mr. BrookeI have already sent a letter, following my announcement last week, to 26 associations of manufacturers and distributors. I have asked for their early replies and indicated my intention of arranging a meeting to consider the position in the light of their replies in the next week or two.