HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 cc1406-7
13. Audrey Wise

What steps she is taking to ensure that publicity is given to the dangers to pre-school children of burns and scalds in the kitchen. [35985]

The Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs (Mr. Nigel Griffiths)

On 24 February, the Department of Trade and Industry launched its safety awareness campaign to alert parents to the hazard of burns and scalds in the home. Some 3,500 pre-school children are injured and end up in hospital every year as a result of such accidents. The campaign involved distributing 2 million safety leaflets and screening four television advertisements to illustrate the hazards.

Audrey Wise

I thank my hon. Friend for launching that campaign. I know that he shares my concern about the safety of small children. He is undoubtedly aware that some of the nastiest accidents occur when small children pull pans off cookers. Is my hon. Friend also aware that it is possible to buy pan guards to stop that happening? However, those pan guards are sold as separate add-ons of which most people are totally unaware. Will my hon. Friend ask manufacturers to include integral pan guards in new cooker designs or attempt to get pan guards accepted as a British standard? Does he agree that manufacturers should accept more responsibility for the safety of their products?

Mr. Griffiths

The House, and indeed the country, will be grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting that specific problem and drawing it to the attention of parents, grandparents and others who are responsible for children in the kitchen. I shall certainly ensure that my hon. Friend's concerns are reflected in the Government's policy and are communicated firmly to all those responsible for manufacturing and distributing cookers.

Dr. Julian Lewis

Does the Minister accept that, if he spent a little less time writing questions for his hon. Friends to ask, he might be able to write better answers for himself?

Mr. Griffiths

I would have found the hon. Gentleman much more convincing if I had not seen the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) pass him a note at the beginning of Question Time prompting him to ask that ridiculous question.

Mrs. Gilroy

Some of the nastiest burns arise from firework accidents. Has my hon. Friend any plans to build on the highly effective campaign—

Madam Speaker

Order. I am sorry—we have not moved to the bonfire; we are still in the kitchen.

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