§ LORD CROOKMy 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 that, despite the information as to children's deaths resulting from the use of anoraks, and the request of the Home Office, as indicated in this House, on July 9 last, that garments produced thereafter should have "certain safety modifications", a national Sunday newspaper has alleged that there were recent sales of dangerous garments at one store in Weymouth and three in Colchester which they are prepared to name; and what further action the Home Office is taking in this matter.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, I understand that the anoraks offered for sale in Weymouth were a small number from old stock. In the Colchester case we are pursuing the matter with the suppliers. We propose to remind the trade of the recommendations concerning children's anoraks which were issued last year.
§ LORD CROOKMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his valuable Answer. Following on the excellent action taken last year, after several children had died, can the noble Lord inform the House what firm action is being taken by the Home Office to deal with this matter, and why it must be left to the People newspaper to maintain an agitation? Further, may I ask whether he is aware that since this Question was put down a firm of the mail order type has issued a catalogue with the same dangerous anoraks pictured in them?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, we are very grateful to the People newspaper for the public-spirited attitude shown in this matter, and for bringing these exceptional—I think very exceptional—cases to light. With regard to the action that we have taken, the firm at Weymouth, Woolworth's, have said that as soon as the Home Office recommendations were issued they asked their suppliers to discontinue the use of draw-cords in the hoods of these anoraks. Apparently they continued to sell some stock, but since this question was raised some pile fabric coats having these hoods have been withdrawn from sale. There was one firm at Colchester which, in fact, ordered the right kind and had them delivered, but subsequently the suppliers sent the wrong type, and we are taking the matter up with the suppliers so that this does not occur again. With regard to the mail order firm, this was an old catalogue issued in August last year before they had our instructions. Their new catalogue contains only anoraks with hoods of the correct and safe type.
§ LORD CROOKMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply.
§ LORD STONHAMYes, my Lords; but Peers are not in the habit of sliding down those little children's chutes which causes the draw-cords to catch them by the throat.
§ LORD CROOKMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether Peers' robes have toggles on them?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, of course that is another point: Peers' robes have neither toggles nor acorns.