HL Deb 03 March 1964 vol 256 cc7-11

2.47 p.m.

LORD AUCKLAND

My 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 whether they will make a statement on the progress of the consultations between the Home Office and the parties concerned in the campaign against flammable nightwear; when these consultations will be concluded and whether the results will be published.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD DERWENT)

My Lords, consultations with organisations concerned with consumer safety and with the trade associations concerned with the manufacture and distribution of nightwear have shown general support for the Government's proposal to deal with this problem by means of regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961.

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has decided to make regulations prohibiting the sale of children's nightdresses which do not comply with the low flammability requirements of British Standard 3121. Draft regulations will be prepared and circulated to the interested organisations for comment, and the regulations will then be laid before Parliament.

LORD AUCKLAND

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that there will be widespread support for these actions? Is he also aware that in one large town in Cornwall a mother tried six different shops to buy a non-flammable nightdress for her child? She could not obtain one, she bought a flammable one, and her child was burnt to death. While not condoning the carelessness of this mother for not using a fireguard, may I ask whether the Home Office will look into this non-availability question?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, it is possible that in certain areas retailers are not stocking non-flammable nightdresses, largely, I think, because the public in certain areas have not been very willing to buy them, possibly because of the increased cost. Now that it has been announced that regulations will be made forbidding the sale of these flammable children's nightdresses, I think one may assume that retailers will not place any further orders for the flammable ones, and of course when the regulations come into force they will be forbidden.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, arising out of that last answer, may I ask the noble Lord whether the Government are having consultations with the Government in Hong Kong, because I am quite sure the noble Lord will agree that a very large percentage of Hong Kong's cotton textiles axe imported into this country and are used to a great degree in children's wear? Can the Government give us an undertaking that there will be full consultations, and that help and assistance will be given to Hong Kong so that they can continue their present trade and comply with the regulations?

LORD DERWENT

I think, my Lords, that all I can say in answer to that question is that regulations will be made forbidding the sale of flammable nigh-dresses, and the importers of Hong Kong goods will undoubtedly notify their suppliers.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord two questions arising out of what he has said? May I ask him, first of all, whether, after these regulations have been passed, it will be compulsory to have a sewn-in label giving washing instructions attached to all the children's nightdresses which may be sold? The second question I should like to ask the noble Lord is this. Would he feel able to press once more on his right honourable friend the Home Secretary this question of publicity? Is he aware that since our debate I have talked with many people in industry and outside, and I think everyone, without exception, feels that this is a matter for education in addition to what the Government may do? Finally, may I ask the noble Lord whether, as on television we have instructions and help concerning road safety, there is the slightest reason why we should not have it on this particular matter, where also the very young and the very old are concerned?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, in answer to the noble Baroness, I think there is no doubt that these garments will have to be marked in some way as regards the washing of them. It presents a few difficulties because there is not only the washing at home, but the commercial washing of these garments to be considered. However, consultations are going on. I think there is not the slightest doubt that regulations, in the terms which I think the noble Baroness wants, will be made when the consultations have finished. Any publicity that anyone can give is going to help. There is a good deal of publicity in the papers at the moment, and the Consumer Council itself has been carrying out a great deal of publicity, both publicly and privately—by private letters to retailers, and so on. As regards the point about television, I will look into that. Our advisers on what is or is not good on television have not yet been consulted about this, but I will bear the point in mind.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

I thank the noble Lord. I do not wish to steal the Question of the noble Lord, Lord Auckland, but I know he will agree with me on this particular matter. May I ask the Minister whether it is not a fact that nowadays—and, I would say, unfortunately—if you want to get something over to the general populace, which includes ourselves, it is necessary day after day to put it over on television? Money is required for this and, whatever the Consumer Council may or may not do, it has not got money. Therefore, would the noble Lord press his right honourable friend very strongly on this point?

LORD DERWENT

Yes, my Lords. I will certainly take it up with my right honourable friend.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, can the noble Lord explain why, when children's lives are in danger in this way, the Government are taking so long to get these regulations through?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, it is not quite as easy as that because if to-morrow we were to ban all flammable nightdresses there would be none at all; or very few of any kind available to be bought in the shops. This is a question of the manufacturing being altered, and there is not at this moment a sufficiently large supply of chemicals to treat materials, such as cotton, which are in themselves flammable. Production has to be increased before the regulations can come into force. We are not taking long about making the regulations, and the noble Lord will realise that the trade must be consulted as to the form of the regulations in order to make them workable.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, surely the noble Lord will agree with me that these points have been known for months.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, they have been known for many years, but that is not quite the point.