§ 10. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he is making for extending the Lead in Toys Regulations to include the coloured adhesive paper used in schools.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Lane)None, Sir. The lead content of substances used in schools is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
§ Mrs. ButlerIs it not a fact that some batches of coloured sticky paper have been shown to contain quite high levels of lead? Since the paper is used in large quantities by young children at home and in school, and has to be licked in order to be used, is it not important that it should be brought within the scope of the Home Office regulations for lead in toys, because such paper is virtually a toy and should be strictly controlled?
§ Mr. LaneYes, Sir, certainly. But we would rather deal with the matter in a different way. There have been one or two examples of sticky paper being found to be over the upper limit of lead content, which I think is 0.5 per cent. under the present regulations, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has already issued guidance about the lead content of some materials in schools, and she is to take steps now to add coloured gummed paper to the list. If there needs to be further action by the Home Office for paper generally on sale to the public, we shall be ready to take that action.