HC Deb 03 December 1980 vol 995 cc93-4W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the ratio of exports to imports of finished manufactures in the case of United Kingdom trade with the EEC Six each year since 1972, as a percentage of the 1975 figure.

Mr. Eyre

The information is as follows:

of (a) the possibility of toxic shock and (b) the dangers of infrequent changes of tampon producing bacterial buildup;

(4) whether, in the light of the fact that 90 per cent. of a study of cases of toxic shock in the United States of America involved the use of tampons containing cellulose, he will prohibit the sale of such tampons until further research confirms or denies the danger.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

There are no legal restrictions over the type of materials to be used in internal sanitary tampons and so there are no notification requirements.

I have now received the results of an analysis of the materials used in all the major brands of tampon available in the United Kingdom, and medical advisers in the Department of Health and Social Security will use this analysis in considering the risks of using tampons and whether there may be a link between particular types of tampon and toxic shock. They will take into account experience in, and data from, the United States of America. Until their inquiries are complete, I believe it would be premature to consider restricting the sale of any of these products, whether or not using plastic applicators, or to require them to carry health warnings.