§ 17. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit the doorstep sales of mini fire extinguishers.
§ Mr. HuckfieldDoes not the hon. Gentleman regard it as scandalous that thousands of people are kidding themselves that their cars, caravans, boats and even houses are protected, when most of these things would not even put out a lighted match? Will the hon. Gentleman now accept the representations that have been made to him by countless fire officers and the British Safety Council and ban these things immediately, and in particular prohibit their doorstep sale?
§ Mr. LaneNo, Sir. I know of the the considerations which have been mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, but I do not think that at present we should be justified in imposing a ban such as he suggests. Most of the public have the common sense to realise that these things have only limited use. What we are trying to do is to devise a simple voluntary labeling scheme, which will help.
§ Mr. CostainWill my hon. Friend accept that that answer is not satisfactory? Will he take some steps to see that home safety committees of local authorities are aware of this danger and that proper publicity is given to it?
§ Mr. LaneI shall consider the matter further. All I am saying is that I am not prepared, on what I see now, to suggest legislation to prohibit their sale.
§ Mr. HuckfieldOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the grossly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.