§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in view of the serious danger to children from lead poisoning, he will introduce legislation to require local authorities to check all playground equipment to ensure that it is safe and that there is no risk of lead poisoning;
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that all manufacturers of paint used for playground equipment and children's furniture use paint that is lead free.
708W
Measured water supply Number of measured consumers (based on undertakers' budget estimates) 000's Water undertakers Household Non-Household 1982-83 1983-84 1982-83 1983-84 North West Water Authority 1.0 1.2 97.0 100.6 Northumbrian Water Authority 0.1 0.1 18.0 18.0 Hartlepools* — — 1.0 1.1
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to ensure that leaded paint used on children's playground equipment does not exceed the 0.25 per cent. lead level; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department's circular No. 22/82 (Welsh Office No. 31/82) on "Lead in the Environment", issued last September, has already drawn local authorities' attention to the possible extent of the problem of old leaded paint in the playgrounds, as suggested possible remedies — either re-covering with new low-lead paint, or controlled stripping. The circular also advise local authorities to specify low-lead paint for all new work except in a few very specialised circumstances.
As part of the Government's response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's ninth report, on Lead in the Environment, which my right hon. Friend announced on 28 July, we are examining the scope for reducing lead in new paint, and its applications, and will ensure that new publicity campaigns include the advice on playground equipment given in the circular.