§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will circulate local education authorities about the dangers of the use in schools of toys and other materials and equipment that have a high lead content and which could endanger the health of schoolchildren;
(2) if he will provide financial and other support to local authorities to remove from schools toys and other materials containing a high level of lead and to replace them by lead-free products.
§ Mr. DunnGuidance to local authorities on lead in the environment was issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in his Department's circular 22/82. This contained references to the dangers of the ingestion of lead by children and also encouraged authorities to specify paint with the lowest lead content practicable for children's furniture or toys. As regards the replacement of items, it is for authorities individually to order their priorities within the resources available to them.