§ Mr. KempTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the expenditure was on press, radio and television awareness advertising to warn of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning for the last five and the current financial years. [70366]
§ Mr. MealeEstimated figures for the Government's spend on press, radio, TV and other forms of Carbon Monoxide awareness material for the last five and current financial years are given in the table.
£ Financial Year Expenditure 1993–94 10k 1994–95 1m 1995–96 600k 1996–97 1.25m 1997–98 238k 1998–99 270k The peaks in expenditure in 1994–95 and 1996–97 are explained by the major TV, film and national press advertising campaigns mounted in those years. Total spending for the period is approaching £3.5 million pounds. In addition the gas supply industry has assisted in this awareness-raising effort by including advice with gas bills mailed to consumers.
§ Mr. KempTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many deaths occurred as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in houses of multi-occupation in the period 1993 to 1998. [70368]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThere are no specific records available for deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
However, I can advise my hon. Friend that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) record all gas-related deaths from CO poisoning, and whether they occur in rented or owner-occupied housing.
On average HSE have recorded 30 deaths each year since 1993. Of these, approximately one third occurred in rented accommodation.
HSE's records do not include no-gas related CO deaths (such as those caused by CO inhalation from solid fuel) which do not fall within the scope of gas safety legislation enforced by HSE.