EC Child Safety Campaign (Hansard, 21 April 1988)

HL Deb 21 April 1988 vol 495 cc1615-6 1615

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry asked Her Majesty's Government:

§ Following their answer about the EC child safety campaign on 3rd December (col. 1134), what progress has been made in setting up a committee of statutory and voluntary organisations to co-ordinate the campaign and its activities in the United Kingdom; and whether the next meeting of the European Consumers Affairs Council will be held on 3rd May.

§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)
My Lords, the EC Commission has not yet produced its revised proposals for an EC child safety campaign. Discussions between the Commission and officials from member states has led to a significant change in the Commission's thinking on this proposal. But until we receive the details, it is clearly not possible to decide what committees or organisational structure would be appropriate.
I understand that the German Presidency intends to hold a Consumer Council on either 7th or 22nd June.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, that is a most disappointing Answer, and I hope the Minister agrees. Am I correct in saying that in general the Government have approved and supported this campaign but have always maintained that activities connected with it should be run by the member states themselves? If that is true, would it not be possible for the department for enterprise to use its initiative to get something going in this respect especially as the campaign itself should have been launched this month.

§ Lord Young of Graffham
My Lords, yes. I cannot speak for other member states, but we are not simply waiting for the Commission to come forward with ideas in this important safety field. We have planned a number of initiatives for this year, including two new child safety booklets produced with the Child Accident Prevention Trust, the annual fireworks campaign and a toy safety campaign in the run-up to Christmas. Other safety campaigns will include material on child safety. The voluntary safety organisations are also active in this area and I should like to pay tribute to their work.

§ Lord Nugent of Guildford
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that one of the most successful and effective measures for child safety is the RoSPA organisation of the Tufty Clubs? Will my noble friend ensure that the RoSPA organisation has sufficient 1616 financial support to ensure that these are effectively maintained and expanded?

§ Lord Young of Graffham
My Lords, I shall certainly look to see what the position is at present.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the noble Lord, Lord Beaverbrook, on 3rd December, in reply to a Question by the noble Baroness, said: I understand that discussions between member states … have resulted in an improved set of proposals"?—[Officio Report, 3/12/87; col. 1134.] Is the noble Lord telling us that the improved set of proposals has not emerged? Are the Government doing all in their power to ensure that there will be an improved set of proposals as soon as possible?

§ Lord Young of Graffham
My Lords, yes. The discussions which have taken place between my officials and officials of other member states with the Commission have led to a significant change in the Commission's thinking on the position. We are now awaiting its conclusions, and until we hear what they are we cannot take the matter further. In the meantime, we are carrying on with our own efforts.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, believing that the Minister must be as weary of waiting for some progress as all of us, perhaps I may ask whether it is possible to make some progress with setting up a committee as referred to in the Question. Is he aware that the voluntary organisations do not believe that progress is being made and are looking to the department for enterprise, which has a very good title, to get on with the matter?

§ Lord Young of Graffham
My Lords, I hate ever to disagree with the noble Baroness, but it is the Department of Trade and Industry. We are for enterprise, as I am sure are all in your Lordships' House. The German Presidency is planning to hold a Consumer Council on 7th or 22nd June, and although that is some way distant I hope that these matters can be resolved in time for that. If not, we shall have to look again to see what is the position.