§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether he will introduce legislation to ban pen tops of the type that caused the death of Billie Walker of Braunstone, Leicester;
(2) whether he will institute research into the safety of pens available to schoolchildren;
674W(3) whether he will consult Biro Bic Ltd. to seek the voluntary withdrawal by it from the market of pens with the type of tops which caused the death of Billie Walker of Braunstone, Leicester.
§ Mr. Maude[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1988, c. 318]: Following the completion, in September 1986, of research initiated by my Department which concluded that the risk of asphyxiation of children due to the inhalation of pen tops could be reduced by a design modification, officials met representatives of the major pen manufacturers and other interested organisations. The findings of the report were discussed and details of the type of design identified as safer were made available. It is encouraging that some manufacturers have already modified their products and that the others intend to do so when the next generation of pens is introduced. My Department has taken the opportunity recently to remind suppliers, through the relevant trade associations, of their responsibilities under the general safety requirement of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
As manufacturers appear to be acting voluntarily I do not consider further action is necessary at this stage. The research findings have also been made available to the authorities concerned with consumer product safety in a number of overseas countries.
Mr. HicksTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the criteria that constitutes identifiable and significant benefits for eligibility for regional selective aid as from April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 18 January 1988]: In order to qualify for regional selective assistance projects must create or safeguard employment in the assisted areas. They should have good prospects of achieving commercial viability so that the employment benefits are durable. They should also strengthen the regional and national economy, for example by improving productivity, increasing exports or introducing new technology. Any adverse impact on employment in other firms is taken into account. Service sector projects which serve only a local market do not generally qualify for RSA.
The full list of criteria is set out in the Department's booklet "The Regional Initiative: Guide to regional selective assistance" and in the guidance notes issued with the application form. The RSA scheme has operated successfully against these requirements for a number of years.