HC Deb 06 December 1994 vol 251 c130W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he took to verify that toxic fire retardant chemicals used in nursery furniture were not harmful to babies before the regulations came into force;

(2) what tests Government laboratories undertook on the toxicity of fire resistant chemicals in nursery furniture, and their likely effect on babies prior to the introduction of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Mr. Ian Taylor

[holding answer 25 November 1994]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, do not require the use of specific fire retardants. The regulations are made in terms of a series of ignition resistance tests for different furniture components. Under section 10—the general safety requirements—of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to use materials which are reasonably safe having regard to the circumstances of their use. However, before introducing the regulations the Department ascertained both from industrial research and advice from the Department of Health that there was a number of safe ways in which manufacturers could comply with the regulations.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what tests DTI laboratories are currently carrying out on the toxicity of cot mattresses.

Mr. Ian Taylor

[holding answer 25 November 1994]: The theory that flame retardants in cot mattresses and covers released noxious gases, and that this caused sudden infant death syndrome, was thoroughly investigated by an expert working group set up by the chief medical officer of health in 1990. The working group concluded that this theory was not supported by the evidence and a copy of its report—the Turner report—has been placed in the Library of the House.

The chief medical officer of health has recently set up another working group of experts to study the questions which were raised by research contained in the Rubens Institute study. The Department will closely follow their deliberations.