HC Deb 06 March 1967 vol 742 cc1052-4
59. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children's rag dolls of the type known to be dangerously inflammable have been imported into the United Kingdom; how many of these have been sold; how long they have been on sale; how many accidents involving such dolls have been reported to his Department; and when the first such accident was reported.

The Minister of State, Home Department (Miss Alice Bacon)

I have no precise information on the first three parts of this Question, but some thousands of these dolls have been on sale in this country during the last few months. On the last two parts of the Question, there have so far been no reports of accidents but the celluloid used for the dolls' faces, and the material used for their hair, are highly inflammable and make them dangerous to children.

Mr. Onslow

Is the right hon. Lady aware that if I had known that this Question would have been reached I would certainly have had one of my children's dolls to produce here? Is she now satisfied that there is no danger of a recurrence of things of this kind coming into this country? If not, what steps is she going to take to prevent the danger of this recurring?

Miss Bacon

Yes, the British Standards code makes it almost impossible for dolls of this kind made of celluloid to be manufactured in this country, but we hope very shortly to put before the House safety regulations which would have the effect of completely banning the sale of anything made of celluloid.

Mrs. Joyce Butler

Is my right hon. Friend aware that her prompt action in banning these dolls and the publicity given to this in the Press were very warmly welcomed by parents who were particularly concerned that such dolls could still be on sale despite all the publicity given to the need for safety in toys and the request to manufacturers to take great care in this respect?

Miss Bacon

Yes. I should like to thank my hon. Friend, and I would emphasise again that those dolls were not made in this country. They were imported into this country and they were not made by any British manufacturer.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

Will my right hon. Friend accept that we are not only delighted at the prompt publication of the facts but also at the enormous amount of work being done by her Department in its approach to manufacturers in other countries to get them to discontinue this sort of manufacture?

Miss Bacon

I thank my hon. Friend.

Mr. Hector Hughes

On a point of order. May I respectfully congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, and the House on having very nearly got to the end of all the Questions on the Paper? We have lost by only a short head.