§ 44. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from local authorities proposing tighter controls over the continuing use of old domestic portable oil heaters which are dangerous if handled incorrectly or carelessly; and whether he will seek to make it an offence to sell a heater not conforming with the 1960 regulations.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesTwo local authority associations have recently recommended that oil heaters sold privately, whether direct or through auctioneers, should be brought within the scope of the Oil Heaters Regulations 1962 and 1966, which apply only to sales made in the course of a business. I am not convinced that statutory control of private sales, even if it were practicable, would make a significant contribution to safety. The best safeguard is for oil heaters always to be carefully used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.