§ 13. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken with regard to the request of the Consumers Association to tighten up regulations governing the sales of lifejackets and buoyancy aids.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. George Thomas)My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has recently set up a working group to consider what Safety appliances pleasure yachts and similar craft under 45 feet in length should be required or recommended to carry. The proposal that the sale of personal buoyancy aids should be controlled by regulations made under the Consumer Protection Act will be considered in the light of the working group's findings. A reply to this effect was sent to the Consumers' Association on 20th September.
§ Sir B. JannerWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that Reply, may I ask whether, in view of the considerable amount of agitation and anxiety that there is about the number of deaths which have been caused in Scotland because of the buoyancy aids being wrongly described as being safe by those who sell them, he will expedite the work of the working committee and see that something is done without delay, particularly in that regard?
§ Mr. ThomasWe all share the anxiety expressed by my hon. Friend. We are moving with as much urgency as we can, and in the meantime I hope that manufacturers will clearly indicate the precise function for which a particular buoyancy aid has been designed.