§ 18. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the communication and Press cutting sent to him by the hon. Member for St. Helens about the case of the late Mrs. Gertrude Gaunt, who died at her home in Hardshaw Street, St. Helens, as a result of a fire caused by a paraffin heater; and, in view of this and other recent cases, if he will introduce new regulations for the control of such heaters.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMy information is that the fire to which my hon. Friend refers was not caused by an oil heater. The Oil Heaters Regulations, 1962 and 1966, already prescribe safety requirements for all portable oil heaters offered for sale in this country.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs my hon. Friend aware that I am deeply anxious about the use of this type of heating, especially by old people? Will he issue local instructions, especially at places where old people draw their pensions, about the need to take special care with oil heaters?
§ Mr. ReesWe do a great deal of advertising in general in this respect. I most certainly will have a word, through the proper channels, with the local chief fire officer. But I am sure that a visit from my hon. Friend, who knows this area well, to have a word about fire prevention precautions, would be worth while.