§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the British Standards Institute have laid down specifications of safety and strength for hot water bottles; how these standards are inspected and maintained; if he is aware of the serious injury which can rise from the leaking or breaking of such hot water bottles especially to the aged and disabled; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyBritish Standards 1970: 1961, specification for Moulded Rubber Hot Water Bottles, requires their material and construction to be such as to ensure satisfactory performance and safety under normal conditions of use. Requirements for tests are given, with recommendations for use and storage. The mark "BS 1970" is an assurance by the manufacturer that the goods have been manufactured to this British Standard.
While serious consequences can result from failure of a hot water bottle, rubber articles inevitably deteriorate in use. Observance of the recommendations in Appendix C of this Standard should delay this natural deterioration.
The Home Office has no record of reported failures in hot water bottles manufactured to BS1970. To inform the public on necessary precautions in the use of hot water bottles it has in preparation a short television "filler" feature which should be available very shortly.