§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects his considerations concerning action to be taken regarding the availability of deliberately scented rubbers, pens and other products will be concluded; and what consultations he is having and with whom upon this matter.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI issued a prohibition order on 30 January banning the supply of particular scented erasers.
The Scented Erasers (Safety) Order 1984, made under section 3(1)(a) and (2) of and paragraph 5 of schedule 1 to the Consumer Safety Act 1978, prohibits the supply of any eraser scented to smell of food or flowers, of which at least two dimensions are each less than 45 millimetres.
I considered that such erasers could well prove too tempting to a young child who might put one in his mouth and choke as a result.
My Department is also discussing with the Department of Health and Social Security the seriousness of the risk that sniffing scented novelties may lead on to glue sniffing.