§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has on the extent to which fumes given off by fire-retardant mattresses if they catch fire are lethal.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 28 February 1991]: My Department has no evidence that smoke and gas emissions from the ignition of fire-retardant mattresses are more injurious than those from burning mattresses with little or no fire protection.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has sought to obtain any evidence on the 63W extent of use of fire-retardant mattresses for young children and on the use of fire retardant and non-fire retardant bedding for young children.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 28 February 1991: No. Requirements for the fire protection of mattresses, and other nursery furniture, can be met without the use of fire-retardant treatments. There are no specific requirements relating to the fire resistance of bedclothes.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has sought to obtain any evidence of the toxicity in its other uses of the plasticiser used in fire-retardant mattresses.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 28 February 1991]: No. A number of different plasticisers are used in the manufacture of mattresses which have PVC covers. The chief medical officer's expert group is examining whether current plasticisers are entirely appropriate for use in cot mattresses. The findings of the expert group will be published as soon as possible and the implications, if any, for mattresses and other products will then be considered.