HC Deb 21 December 1961 vol 651 cc169-70W
14. Mr. Spriggs

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many children and old people have died in the United Kingdom through burns

ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME AND RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS
1956 1957 1958 1959 1960
Cause of death Under 15 65 and over Under 15 65 and over Under 15 65 and over Under 15 65 and over Under 15 65 and over
1. DEATHS OF CHILDREN AND OLD PEOPLE CAUSED BY CLOTHING COMING IN CONTACT WITH FIRE, 1956–1960, ENGLAND AND WALES
Burns by clothing from domestic fire (open):
Males 11 9 3 4 6 7 8 9 3 7
Females 50 39 28 45 42 52 20 51 17 39
gas fire, stove, etc.:
Males 2 1 2 3 2 2 1
Females 6 27 3 28 2 20 7 23 3 13
electric fire:
Males 3 1 3 1 4 4 2
Females 5 36 4 28 4 31 4 43 4 34
other specified:
Males 2 13 3 10 5 12 4 22 11
Females 12 25 12 27 4 26 9 18 13 16
not specified:
Males 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 4
Females 12 23 6 12 8 25 8 25 9 18
Totals 100 180 61 161 74 182 64 199 50 144
2. DEATHS OF CHILDREN AND OLD PEOPLE CAUSED BY FIRE AND EXPLOSION OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL, 1956–1960, SCOTLAND
25 62 21 35 22 44 13 60 11 46

caused through night clothes coming in contact with fires and stoves in the home during the last five years and up to the latest convenient date; and whether he will introduce legislation to limit the manufacture of nightwear to non-inflammable materials.

Mr. George Craddock

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of many recent fatal accidents to children and old people caused through burns sustained in the home, if he will now introduce legislation requiring children's nightwear to be manufactured from nonflammable materials.

Mr. Erroll

No. Flame resistant fabrics and nightwear are now widely available, and vigorous publicity is being given to their advantages by the Manufacturers, and as part of the National Fire Prevention Campaign. The following are the available statistics on accidents of the kind referred to.