§ 2.45 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fatal accidents have been caused by oil heaters during the period January 1, 1960, to April 1, 1964; and whether they are satisfied that the requirements of the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960, are being observed with sufficient strictness and care.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD DERWENT)My Lords, excluding any deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, the figures for 540 which are not readily available, 118 fatal accidents are recorded as having been caused by portable domestic oil heaters during this period. The Government have no reason to believe that the Oil Heaters Regulations, 1962, made under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961—which repealed the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960—are not being observed.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, in thanking my noble friend for that reply, I would ask whether he is aware that these figures are disturbingly high. May I also ask him whether there is any indication of second-hand oil heaters slipping through the net and still being sold, as reconditioned, in street markets and so on? And will he prevail upon his right honourable friend to carry out a national safety campaign, as is being done in respect of road accidents?
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, of the 118 deaths in the five years under consideration, 63 occurred in 1962 and 1963, during very hard weather in both winters. That, undoubtedly, is the reason for the increased figures in those years. The present regulations apply to all heaters which are offered for sale, whether new or second-hand, but only if they were made after June 1, 1962. There is no definite evidence that any substantial number of heaters made prior to that date are being sold second-hand in a defective condition, or without modification to bring them up to the standard required by the regulations. But the possibility is being considered at this present time of including in the amending regulations, which are now being prepared, a provision to make the present regulations apply to all oil heaters offered for sale, irrespective of their date of manufacture. With regard to my noble friend's third question, I will bring it to the notice of my right honourable friend.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, could my noble friend indicate how many of these fatal accidents happened to children?
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, I am afraid that I have not a "breakdown" of the figures as between adults and children. All I can tell my noble friend is that 45 were male and 73 female.