§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ban inclusion of(a) phosphorus, (b) arsenic and (c) antimony compounds in the composition of cot mattresses; and if she will make a statement. [5843]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 1 July 1997]: The use of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony in cot mattresses is currently being considered by the Expert Committee on Cot Death Theories set up by the chief medical officer in November 1994. This committee is due to report to the chief medical officer at the Department of Health.