Liquid Petroleum Gas Cabinet Heaters

HC Deb 25 January 1980 vol 977 cc419-20W

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many complaints he has received concerning the sale of potentially dangerous liquid petroleum gas cabinet heaters; how many accidents are known to have occurred due to the failure to supply certain of such heaters without a hose or a regulator; and how many of such accidents were fatal.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

My Department has received less than a dozen complaints concerning the safety of liquefied petroleum gas heaters since the beginning of 1977. Where necessary, these complaints have been followed up with the manufacturers or importers. I regret that the information on accidents due to failure to supply hoses or regulators is not available.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many accidents have been known to have occurred due to the use of liquid petroleum gas cabinet heaters during each of the last 10 years for which records are available; how many of such accidents have been fatal; and in how many of such cases the heaters were known to have been sold at one-day sales or otherwise than by established shops or dealers.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

My Department is endeavouring to obtain as much of this information as may be available. When it is received, I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what investigations are being carried out by local trading standards officers concerning the sale of liquid petroleum gas heaters at one-day sales.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

I am not aware of any such investigation. Two local trading standards departments have expressed some concern to my Department about the possibility that liquefied petroleum gas heaters sold at one-day sales in their locality may not be adequately safe. The Department is looking into this.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will set up an inquiry into the sale of potentially dangerous liquid petroleum gas cabinet heaters.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

On the evidence at present available to me, I do not consider it necessary to set up an inquiry. However, should further evidence become available, appropriate action will be taken.