HL Deb 07 December 1971 vol 326 cc675-6
LORD CROOK

My 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 attention has been called to the potential danger of the television trolleys used in schools.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (LORD BELSTEAD)

My Lords, early this year a school boy was killed by the fall of a trolley-mounted television set which was being moved. The accident was extensively reported in the local Press at the time, and the causes were later discussed in the educational Press. In general, local educational authorities take great care in safety matters, and the publicity which this tragic accident has attracted will have drawn their attention to this particular hazard in their choice of equipment. Meanwhile, a technical committee of the British Standards Institution has been preparing a new specification for large-screen television receivers for schools, including those mounted on mobile trolleys.

LORD CROOK

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer, and I am pleased to learn that something is now being done by the Government. But may I ask whether the Minister is aware that the slow movement and wobbling of the committee of the British Standards Institution is such that at least one member has already resigned because of their lack of decision?

LORD BELSTEAD

My Lords, the consideration which the technical committee of the British Standards Institution is giving in this particular matter is to the preparation of a standard specification for school television receivers. This is mainly for the technical performance of sets but, as I am sure the noble Lord is aware, the committee is also studying degrees of tilt and the diameter of castors. I cannot tell the noble Lord when the consideration will be finished, but it is well advanced.

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