HC Deb 15 February 1984 vol 54 cc213-4W
Mr. Forrester

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has studied the report drawn up on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament, Document 1–795/83, recommending the promotion of the use of safety closures for those household products which have been the main cause of child poisoning; if he will take action to implement these recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

I consider that we should try to get a standard agreed internationally, rather than just at European Community or national level; and the International Standards Organisation is working to this end.

Mr. Forrester

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on progress towards a British Standard for child resistant closures for use on dangerous household products; and if he will authorise the use of those already in service.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The BSI is consulting industry about mechanical testing of child resistant closures in order to help draw up an international standard for all child resistant packaging. Industry is free to use the existing British standard if it wishes.

Mr. Forrester

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps other than the use of child resistant closures he intends to take to make the public aware of the dangers associated with certain household products.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The Government will be publishing shortly classification packaging and labelling regulations requiring the more hazardous household products to be properly packaged and labelled, and will conduct a publicity campaign to make parents fully aware of the dangers these products present.

Mr. Forrester

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has studied the working party report on child resistant closures which recommends, in the absence of a voluntary agreement, the making of regulations for the use of child resistant closures on selected groups of household products which cause either serious injury or a large number of suspected poisonings in young children; and if he will make a statement of the Government's intentions.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

I shall be meeting Lord Ennals and representatives of the working party shortly to discuss what can and should best be done.

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