§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister for Trade (1) if he has been notified of any accidents involving personal injury resulting from the consequences of opening large plastic bottles of lemonade or other gaseous drinks; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what controls his Department has through legislation and other means over the size and materials used in the making of lemonade bottles; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he has any evidence that additional danger is created for consumers when plastic is used in place of glass in the making of lemonade bottles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanOver the last two years my Department has been notified of seven cases of personal injury occurring when plastic bottles containing carbonated drinks were opened. The Department is investigating whether any general design improvements might help to prevent further accidents. So far, there is no evidence that the use of plastic for containers creates additional dangers. The Department will be discussing with the British Standards Institution the case for a safety standard for these bottles. This could be made a legal requirement by regulations under the Consumer Safety Act 1978.