§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to control the current use and storage of polyurethane foam, in view of its toxic effect when involved in a fire.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimThe object of the Upholstered Furniture (Safety) Regulations 1979, laid in draft before Parliament on 5 December, is to render domestic upholstered seating furniture, whether or not it contains polyurethane foam, safer, from ignition by smokers' materials (firstly cigarettes and later matches). I have no immediate plans to take further action in this field, but I shall be keeping the matter under review.
Controls over the storage and use of polyurethane foam at places of work are the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. In this connection, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment to a question by the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) on 5 December.—[Vol. 975, c. 204–5.…