§ 29. Mr. John Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received about the dangers from fire of certain plastic furniture fillings; and if he plans to introduce further legislation to control these.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimI regularly receive representations calling for a ban on the use of plastic foam as a filling in upholstered furniture because of the risks of fire and smoke it presents. However, as I made clear during the debate on 22 May 1980 on the Upholstered Furniture (Safety) Regulations 1980, I do not consider such a ban to be justifiable. The regulations deal with the risk of furniture catching alight, a risk which banning foam would not prevent. Other fillings might price furniture out of the reach of many consumers and all fillings used in domestic furniture carry risks of fire and toxic smoke. As long as180W these considerations apply I see no reason to legislate for the control of plastic foam fillings, but my Department is keeping in touch with technical research into safer foam.