§ Mr. Greville Janner (Leicester, West)I beg to ask leave to present, on behalf of the community of Braunstone and the citizens of Leicester, a petition that has more than 10,000 signatories. It follows the tragic death on 9 October 1987 of Billy Walker, aged 11. His death followed choking on the top of a Bic pen. The Bic company, the manufacturers of the pen, refused—disgracefully—to discuss the matter with its Member of Parliament.
The boy's parents have campaigned courageously so that there may be no repetition of this accident through ignorance or inaction. The petition states:
The humble petition of the community of Braunstone and Leicester citizens, sheweth That following the tragic death of Billy Walker (aged 11 on 9 October 1987, whilst in Wycliffe Community College, Hamelin Road, Leicester) the notorious hazard of asphyxiation, owing to obstruction of the respiratory system by a pen top, was highlighted. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will urge the Government to ensure the taking of immediate steps to remove the danger presented to children through the availability of pen tops and similar objects in both school and home and so eliminating the hazard that led to the tragic death of Billy Walker.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.