§ Mr. MillerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider amending the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 to ensure that chemical additives to cloth are banned where they make the material liable to ignition through a spark.
§ Mr. LeighMy Department is not aware of any chemical additives to cloth which would render garments made from that material more liable to ignition from a spark.
§ Mr. MillerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the extension of the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 to ensure that garments carrying the "keep away from fire" label that might flare from a spark carry a stronger warning.
§ Mr. LeighThe Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 require that children's nightdresses, nightshirts and dressing gowns, except cotton terry towelling bath robes, must pass a test to ensure that they are made from fabric with slow burning qualities and do not therefore flare up quickly. All other nightwear, and garments commonly worn as nightwear, including cotton terry towelling bath robes, must carry a permanent label to show whether or not they pass this test. Such garments which do not pass the slow burning test must carry a "keep away from fire" label in a position where it can readily be seen by a prospective purchaser. I have no plans to amend the regulations.