§ 2.39 p.m.
LORD FARINGDONMy 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 can now make any statement concerning the regulations covering the transport of inflammable substances.]
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, draft Orders have been prepared dealing with the conveyance by road of more than 200 dangerous inflammable liquids having a flash-point below 73 degrees Fahrenheit. They provide for the labelling of vehicles and containers in which these liquids are carried, as well as for certain other safety precautions, and have been circulated for the consideration of the Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances and other interested bodies. Subject to this consideration of the various comments received and to be received, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary expects the draft Orders to come into force in the New Year.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, May I thank my noble friend for his reply and say how glad I am that it compares favourably with the replies I have received to a previous trio of questions?
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, if my noble friend Lord Faringdon does not mind my pursuing a private war, might I ask the Minister whether he is aware that many of us have been fighting a battle with the Home Office for some time to use the words "flammable" and "non-flammable"? Is he further aware that, rather rashly, I thought that this battle had been won? Would he be good enough to consult with the Home Office to ensure that this better terminology is used throughout all Departments?
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, I did not expect to be drawn into a private war with my noble friend Lady Burton of Coventry. The position is that when this Question was first put down I noticed 1956 in it the world "flammable". I thought "inflammable" to be the better word. I consulted the Oxford Dictionary, and I think you will find that it is.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, if I may be rash enough to say so. I do not mind what is in the dictionary. Might I ask the noble Lord whether he would consult with the Home Office on this matter, because I think he will find the words "flammable" and "non-flammable" are going to be incorporated in regulations to be made in the future?
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, is the noble Lord further aware that not all the noble Lady's efforts can possibly delete the word "inflammable" from English usage
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, I turned up various Acts of Parliament and found that the words "inflammable liquids" appeared in them.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYThat was in the past.
§ LORD BOWLESI know.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he can assure me that this private battle will not delay the issue of the Orders?
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, I can assure my noble friend that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary is very keen on getting these Orders into force as soon as possible.