HL Deb 20 February 1996 vol 569 cc967-8

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied that the small toys, known as "Pogs", are safe for small children when included with foodstuffs in packets.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie)

My Lords, toy safety regulations require that all toys supplied in the United Kingdom must be safe—even those given away free with other products. We have no evidence that any of the "Pogs" currently on the market do not comply with safety legislation; nor are we aware of any incidents of young people mistaking the "Pogs" supplied with food for a foodstuff.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble and learned friend for that reassuring reply. He and other noble Lords are no doubt familiar with the small discs bearing pictures of imaginary characters now being voraciously collected by children. Is my noble and learned friend aware of reports that large quantities are soon to be launched in rival packets of cereals and crisps, and that the British Safety Council is worried that small children could choke on them? In fact, a Pog in the throat might be dangerous—certainly more so than a frog in the throat.

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, my noble friend has the advantage of me. Until I prepared for this Question I had no idea what a Pog was. It is a small cardboard disc not unlike those that used to be found on the tops of milk bottles. Their size is such that it is not seriously considered that there should be any risk to young people who intentionally or inadvertently put them into their mouths. The Pog complies with legislation. I am very much aware that remarkable quantities of Pogs are circulating. It is anticipated that there will be around half a billion of them in the country in the course of the next year.

Lord Haskel

My Lords, can the Minister say whether the matter has been examined by the consumer safety unit of the DTI and, if so, what is the unit's view? As it is a matter of consumer safety, can he tell us whether there are plans to change the unit—its standards, the scope of its work or its size, or by farming out its work in any manner?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, regulations were made in 1995. Pogs have been measured against the requirements of those regulations. It has been established that all those that have come to the attention of the DTI—the large numbers in crisp packets and cereal packets—are too large to fail to comply with the regulations. That being so, I do not think there is any further requirement for adjustment within the DTI.

Lord Haskel

My Lords, can the Minister answer the second part of my question about the future of the consumer safety unit?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, I do not think I can. I am not quite sure how it arises on Pogs.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, as my noble and learned friend probably knows, a game can be played with Pogs requiring an additional slammer disc. Are the Government concerned about the safety of this sharp metal disc which is already the subject of a toy safety warning from at least one trading standards department?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, I am now aware what a slammer is. All the slammers I have seen are plastic. When I consider the objects which small children throw at each other, this is probably one of the most harmless I have ever seen.

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