HC Deb 23 July 1964 vol 699 cc132-3W
Commander Kerans

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce his proposed regulations to ban the sale of children's inflammable nightdresses.

Mr. Brooke

After full consultation with all interested bodies I have decided on the form which these regulations will take. They will be laid before Parliament next week. The regulations will in general apply to all nightdresses having both a finished garment chest measurement not exceeding thirty-eight inches and an overall length not exceeding forty-six inches. They will not, however, apply to any nightdress which, although coming within both of these measurements, is so made or designed that it is unsuitable for wear by a child under the age of 13; nor will they apply to any nightdress which is designed as an infant's gown suitable for wear by a newly-born baby.

All nightdresses coming within the scope of the regulations will be required to be made of a fabric which conforms to the low-flammability requirements of British Standard 3121: 1959. Trimmings below the waist or elbow must also be of fabric of a kind which complies with this Standard.

The regulations will provide that, where fabric with which a children's nightdress is made or trimmed contains fibres made of a synthetic substance which melts with the application of heat, (a) any fabric stitched to that fabric below the waist or elbow shall be of the same kind or of a kind consisting wholly of fibres which will melt with the application of heat; and (b) any thread with which that fabric is stitched shall also be of a kind which will melt with the application of heat. The regulations will, however, permit the continued use of elastic for shirring in the cuffs or elsewhere in the garment.

A nightdress made from a fabric which has been chemically treated to make it flame-resistant will be required to carry a label warning against washing with soap and against boiling or bleaching. The regulations will not prescribe the actual wording of the washing instructions to be included on the label, but will allow any choice of words sufficient to convey the required meaning. A tie-on label will be permitted as an alternative to a sew-in label on nightdresses sold up to 1st April, 1965. All children's nightdresses sold as from that date will be required to have stitched labels.

The regulations will come into operation on 1st October, 1964. From that date it will be an offence under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, to sell or to have for the purpose of selling in Great Britain any nightdresses coming within the scope of the regulations which do not comply with their requirements. The regulations will apply to all such nightdresses irrespective of their date of manufacture, but will not apply to those sold or held for export.

I greatly appreciate the co-operation which has been readily given by all the interested bodies in the preparation of the regulations.