HC Deb 10 February 1988 vol 127 cc340-1
4. Mr. Janner

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what specific steps he has taken to ensure that ballpoint pen manufacturers comply with the recommendations of his Department's investigation into the asphyxiation of children due to the inhalation of pen tops.

Mr. Butcher

The industry was made aware of the outcome of my Department's investigations in September 1986. In a follow-up exercise in April last year several manufacturers reported that they were working on new designs. Members of the Writing Instruments Association are also working in parallel with other European manufacturers in drawing up parameters that should be taken into account in the designs of safer pen tops. In the meantime, manufacturers and importers have been reminded of their responsibilities under the general safety requirement of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

Mr. Janner

Does the Minister mean that manufacturers who put out unsafe pens, as Bic has been doing for so long, are liable to be prosecuted? Is he aware that in recent years 11 children have died through swallowing pen tops? Until we get some real action from the industry, will he arrange for Bic pens with separate tops not to be available in any Government Department? Will he also talk to the Secretary of State for Education and Science and make sure that they are no longer available in or supplied to schools?

Mr. Butcher

I congratulate the hon. and learned Gentleman on the effectiveness of his campaign and the manner in which he has pursued it. Obviously it has risen from a case involving one of his constituents, which greatly impressed my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs.

I have written to a colleague at the Department of Education and Science asking him urgently to review its practice. I hope that the hon. and learned Gentleman will be encouraged to know that, following his meeting with my hon. Friend, we have contacted the British Standards Institute to set up a committee urgently to develop a pen top standard. Furthermore, he will be familiar with the work of Mr. Mathias, in Newcastle, on outline standards for pen top safety. We have also brought that work to the attention of BSI. There is much encouraging response from the industry. Rather than taking immediate and draconian measures, I hope that through other means we will achieve the effect that the hon. and learned Gentleman would wish.