Dr. Hillasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the recommendations, a copy of which has been sent to him, proposed by a representative conference of the medical profession to introduce at an early date an agreed code of colour markings of gas cylinders and for the manufacture and use of a non-interchangeable valve that can be attached to United States and British cylinders with the object of avoiding fatal accidents as a result of the mis-identification of a cylinder prior to or during the administration of an anaesthetic; and what steps he proposes to take to provide doctors within the National Health Service with the cylinders and valves they desire to eliminate fatal accidents.
§ Mr. MarquandI am aware of the recommendations referred to. A colour code and non-interchangeable valves are under consideration by the British Standards Institution and the International Organisation for Standardisation. When agreement is reached urgent consideration will be given to revision of the existing British Standards.