HL Deb 06 December 2001 vol 629 cc149-50WA
Lord Harrison

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence there is that small toys in breakfast cereal packs and chocolate eggs have caused death and injury to children within the European Union single market; and whether they support tougher safety controls on companies producing such toys. [HL1650]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

We are aware of three fatalities in the UK in 1985, 1989 and 1991 and one death in Portugal involving toys supplied with foodstuffs. The European Commission has examined all aspects of the combination of inedible products with foodstuffs and concluded that while these could constitute risk, these risks were no different from those associated with any other small toys or toys incorporating small parts. This view is supported by research carried out for my department which concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that toys marketed with food pose a greater risk to children than other small toys.

All toys supplied in the UK must meet the essential safety requirements of the Toy (Safety) Regulations 1995 which implement the EC directive on the safety of toys.