§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions are held between Her Majesty's Government and the Hong Kong Government concerning the import of possible dangerous toys.
§ Mr. FletcherMy officials discuss with the Hong Kong Government's London office any questions about the safety of particular toys made in Hong Kong as the need arises.
Additionally, officials from my Department and the Hong Kong Government are exploring ways of ensuring that Hong Kong producers of consumer goods, including toys, for the United Kingdom market increase their understanding of the safety requirements of relevant British standards.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Merseyside county council concerning the import of toy guns from Hong Kong; wht reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FletcherMerseyside county council trading standards department submitted a report dated 10 September 1984 about the safety of a particular toy gun made in Hong Kong.
The plastic toy gun—known as a "Detective Special" —conforms with the requirements of British standard BS 5665—safety of toys. I am informed that it has been withdrawn from sale and that no similarly powered projectile firing toys are now on the market.
Nevertheless, I was concerned about the potential dangers of this type of toy and my officials quickly arranged a meeting with the toy trade. The participants, including a representative of Merseyside county council, concluded that few, if any projectile firing toys now on the British market gave cause for concern. It was agreed that BS 5665 was the best available reference point for the safety of toy guns and similar products. The requirements of the standard, taken together with the normal precautions and checks which all responsible manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers make, are normally more than adequate from a safety point of view. However, my Department's technical advisers are considering whether there is scope for improving this standard.
With toy guns that actually fire things rather than simply make a bang, it is generally accepted that there is a parental duty to prevent the gun being fired at people, particularly at very close range.