HC Deb 04 February 1965 vol 705 c305W
38. Mr. Horner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to prevent the sale to the public of domestic oil heaters which do not conform to the standards required by the Regulations made under the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960.

Mr. George Thomas

My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that the requirements of the Oil Heaters Regulations, 1962, made under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, are not being observed. It is an offence to sell, or to have for the purpose of selling, in the course of business any unflued domestic oil heater manufactured after 1st June, 1962, which does not comply with the Regulations.

39. Mr. Horner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires have been reported to his Department as being caused by domestic oil heaters since the promulgation of the Regulations made under the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960; and what is the number of deaths caused by such fires.

Mr. George Thomas

The Oil Heaters Regulations, made under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, came into operation on 1st June, 1962. From that date up to the end of 1963, it is estimated that of fires reported to fire brigades in England and Wales, 5,852 were caused by domestic oil heaters and that there were 82 deaths. I regret that the figures for 1964 are not yet available.