§ 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 what action they propose to take regarding imported toys with a low standard of safety, especially those with a high lead content.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, as my right honourable and learned friend the Home Secretary announced on November 19 in reply to Questions in another place, Regulations dealing with the safety of toys are being prepared which will include restrictions on the lead content of the paint used. These Regulations, which will apply to all toys whether manufactured in this country or imported, in addition to limiting the lead content of paint on toys will prohibit the sale of toys made of celluloid and will require electrical toys to be operated only at a low voltage (maximum 24 volts) and prescribe safety requirements for transformers used for this purpose.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. I also thank the Daily Mail for having high-lighted this matter. May I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware of the extreme urgency of dealing with this matter, particularly in view of the Christmas season when many of these toys will be purchased? May I ask him also whether tracing the supplies of these toys has been carried out thoroughly and whether sufficient check has been made on street traders and street markets, who are chiefly responsible for the selling of such toys?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, we are fully aware of both the importance and the urgency of this matter. In fact, draft regulations have already been prepared, but these are now being delayed so that the provisions regarding the lead content of paint can be incorporated in them. As soon as this has been done the draft regulations will be circulated to interested bodies for comment and will then be 740 laid. With regard to the control which will be exercised, my right honourable and learned friend will institute control of manufacturers and importers, and therefore no separate steps are required to deal with street traders, who, in any case, largely obtain their supplies from the dealers, whether the toys are manufactured or imported.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, can the noble Lord give any indication as to how long these regulations will take, because casualities from these toys are not light.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I cannot commit the Government to an actual date. It will certainly be as early as possible in the New Year. Meanwhile, we are hoping, and have every reason to hope, that the publicity which is now being given to the Government's intention in this matter will be acted upon by everyone in the trade concerned.