§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps to ensure that all electric fireguards receiving Government approval and carrying the safety hallmark as in "The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations 1973" (S.I., 1973, No. 2106) and BS 1945: 1971, are designed to prevent a hand being placed through them.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations 1973, which superseded the less stringent Regulations made in 1953, require guards on electric fires to comply with the relevant provisions in British Standard12W 1945/1971. These are designed to prevent young children from grasping the hot elements of radiant fires and I am not aware of any evidence which suggests that they are inadequate in this or in any other respect. If the hon. Member knows of any accident in which a hand has been inserted through a guard made to this standard, I should be glad if she would let me have details.