§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards the action of certain fishing 54W tackle manufacturers in affixing electrical danger symbol warning stickers to carbon fibre rods; whether he has had any discussions with representatives of the manufacturers to secure the wider use of such stickers; and what information he has on the number and extent of personal injuries sustained by anglers in the last seven years where carbon fibre fishing rods have come into contact with high tension power lines and electricity cables.
§ Mr. GoodladThe Government have not approached fishing tackle manufacturers on the use of warning stickers on carbon fibre rods, although I am pleased that some manufacturers do use that method of alerting anglers to the dangers when using carbon fibre rods near overhead lines. The Electricity Council and area boards, with Government encouragement, have mounted extensive publicity campaigns by means of the angling press, posters and a film, and the water authorities take steps to warn anglers using fishing waters where there may be a risk.
Over the seven years to 1985–86 my Department 'was notified of five injuries and one death which had resulted from contact between carbon fibre fishing rods and overhead lines. The injuries have generally consisted of burns to the hands and feet.