§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with(a) the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (b) beverage manufacturers and (c) container suppliers about the use of opening mechanisms of cans of drinks which involve part of the opener entering the can and coming into contact with the contents.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 27 February 1991]: None. My officials regularly meet ROSPA and the enforcement authorities and I am not aware of difficulties giving rise to the need for a meeting with ROSPA or the industry on this matter.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to prohibit the use of opening mechanisms of cans of drinks which involve part of the opener entering the can and coming into contact with the contents.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what moves are being taken within the European Community to prevent the use of opening mechanisms of cans of drinks which involve part of the opener entering the can and coming into contact with the contents; and what information he has on the current policy of other European Governments on this matter.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 27 February 1991]: I am not aware of any proposals within the European Community to prevent the use of such opening mechanisms. The policy of other European Governments on this matter is not known.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has concerning the number of accidents which have arisen, in the latest year for which figures are available, as a result of the swallowing of any parts of opening mechanisms of cans of drinks which involve part of the opener entering the can.
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§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 27 February 1991]: No accidents of that type were recorded by my Department's home accident surveillance system for 1988, which is the latest year for which complete information is available.