§ 2.36 p.m.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy 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 have given further consideration to the suggestion that they should assist with publicity on the hazards of flammable clothing, and whether they will make a statement.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)Yes, my Lords. The recent National Fire Prevention Campaign, whose theme was safety in the home, concentrated a good deal of attention on the danger of clothing catching alight. Publicity was undertaken by Her Majesty's Government, the fire authorities, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Fire Protection Association, the Central Council for Health Education and home safety committees, by means of films, television and sound broadcasts, Press notices and advertisements, posters, leaflets, bookmarks and similar aids. Her Majesty's 778 Government will continue to promote publicity along these lines.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply, but before coming to it, may I ask him whether he has any statement to make concerning Question Time last Thursday, when he attributed to me views which I had certainly not expressed?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, my remarks about the supply of materials of low flammability were, I am afraid, misunderstood, I had just referred to the tragic case of a young child who died when her nightdress, which had been made at home, caught fire, and I wrongly assumed that my noble friend's following question related to traditional nightdress materials. Such materials can already be rendered flame-resistant, and research on the problem of flame-resistant processes in general continues to be carried out by important firms, such as Courtaulds. I did not mean to imply any more than this and regret that my remarks might have conveyed otherwise.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I am much obliged to my noble friend. Reverting to to-day's reply, and noting what the Home Office have done already in this respect, I wonder if my noble friend could consider an additional suggestion? As we both agree that it is not feasible to suggest that shops should sell only non-flammable material and as, equally, we cannot control what people make up at home, would it be possible for Her Majesty's Government to have a film series made on flammability dangers, to be included in the B.B.C. Television programme called "Public Service Films" which follows the "Town and Around" programmes on most evenings of the week?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, may I first make one reservation with regard to what I understood my noble friend to say? The Home Office Working Party are at present considering the possibility of exercising control of at least some materials—for example, winceyette. With regard to the question of films, I am grateful for my noble friend's suggestion. I would mention, however, that there is a film on inflammable clothing, issued by the Central Office of Information which, since last July, has been shown 779 on 170 occasions. We also have a film, Guard That Fire, which has been shown on 68 occasions during the last twelve months. This is a most valuable and important form of publicity, and I would express the gratitude of my Department both to the B.B.C. and to the I.T.V. companies, who make no charge for this service, and show these films whenever they can.
LORD REAMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether his Committee are giving attention to the point raised by the noble Baroness the other day—that is, the safety of old people, as well as children, who are likely to be caught by this danger from inflammable materials?
§ LORD STONHAMYes, my Lords, I can certainly give that assurance, though my noble friend was not unaware that the Working Party are giving attention to this important problem. Her suggestion was that it should be given top priority, and, of course, that suggestion is already receiving most active consideration.