§ 2.41 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 whether they are aware of the concern felt at the dangers inherent in certain toys imported into this country; and what steps they propose to take towards strengthening the powers of inspection of toys to ensure a high standard of safety.]
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary shares the concern which has been expressed about such toys and is taking steps to deal at once with particular dangers brought to his notice. Regulations under the Consumer Protection Act 1961, specifying a number of general safety requirements for children's toys, will shortly be ready and will apply to all toys offered for sale, regardless of their country of origin. These Regulations will be enforced by the local authorities, who will have adequate powers of inspection for this purpose.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, may ! preface my supplementary by expressing the hope that the noble Lord, Lord Stonham, is making satisfactory progress. May I ask two supplementaries, in thanking the noble Lord for that very full reply. May I first ask him whether steps will be taken for toys which are imported to be compulsorily inspected at the manufacturing source? Secondly, may I ask him whether the Consumer Council's idea of a Toy Council has been further considered by the Home Office to get safety standards improved all round?
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, as regards the first question there is no power to prohibit the importation of these toys. The existing power to control imports of goods is used only for economic or commercial purposes.
As regards the second supplementary question, I might point out that the regulations will prohibit the sale of toys manufactured from celluloid, require electrical toys to be operated only by low voltage and prescribe safety requirements for transformers for use with such toys. The amount of lead and other toxic substances which may be present in paint on toys will also be controlled. As regards the further part of the noble Lord's supplementary, we are guided in this matter by the report of the Molony Committee on Consumer Protection. which recommended that there should be regulations giving statutory support to some only of the requirements set out in the British Standard Code of Safety Regulations for children's toys. These recommendations are being implemented. The Committee doubted the need for regulations dealing with the other requirements in the Code either because they thought that Regulations would be impracticable or because they regarded the risk as small.
With regard to the noble Lord's preface about my noble friend Lord Stonham, I am glad to say he is a little better to-day although I understand he is still rather seriously ill.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, the Minister has mentioned that we are entitled to stop imports for economic and commercial reasons. Could he say in what circumstances?
§ LORD BOWLESFor instance, when we find a very serious balance-of-payments problem the Government have power to impose import controls, and that is the sort of commercial or economic purpose for which this power exists. It does not exist for the purpose of prohibiting the import of toys which might be considered by some people to be dangerous.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, may I clear up one misunderstanding? I was not proposing the banning of the import of toys; I was proposing more rigorous inspection. May I further ask whether the Minister is aware that the toy industry generally are a very responsible body; and may I further thank him for his assurances?
§ LORD BOWLESI am very grateful to the noble Lord.