HC Deb 08 December 1966 vol 737 cc349-50W
100. Mr. Murray

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a committee of inquiry on the safety of children's toys.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I doubt if such a committee would help us to deal with this problem. My Department keeps closely in touch with the trade, safety organisations and other bodies on matters relating to the safety of toys; and a technical committee of the British Standards Institution, on which my Department is represented, is undertaking a detailed review of the present code of safety requirements for children's toys.

101. Mr. Murray

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to institute standards of safety for all children's toys.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The British Standards Institution have already published, and keep under review, a Code of Safety Requirements for Children's Toys (B.S.3443), with which there is general compliance by manufacturers and importers in this country. Certain of these requirements form the basis of regulations which I expect to be ready shortly. I shall consider the need to make further regulations when the revision of the Code now in progress has been completed.

Mr. Murray

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to ensure that imported toys are not a source of danger to children;

(2) if he will take steps to ensure that all toys manufactured in Great Britain are safe for children.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 1st December to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler)—[Vol 737, c.135–6.]