Published: Wednesday, 11th June, 2008 12:00pm

'Ban loop cords' petition presented in the Commons

by Elaine Birse

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GORDON BANKS MP presented the Advertiser"s "ban loop cords" petition to the House of Commons last Wednesday.

A total of 3500 people put their names to the petition as the Advertiser, backed by the McLaughlin family, launched its campaign to change the manufacturing standard of blind and curtain cords.

Menstrie toddler Muireann McLaughlin was tragically killed when she became entangled in a looped blind cord in her home in February.

The Labour MP has already held a debate in Westminster on the issue and met Government Ministers and officials to look at ways to improve safety standards.

Mr Banks said, 'Presenting the petition to Parliament is an important step in making the Government aware of the issues surrounding looped blind cords and the dangers that they pose.

'The petition, which has signatures from all around the world, shows the widespread public concern at the dangers of looped blind cords. It is estimated that, on average, two children every year die in the UK because of looped blind cords and that is wholly unacceptable in this day and age.'

New European Union regulations regarding looped blind cords will be introduced in the next few months which will take the form of a voluntary code.

Mr Banks continued, 'I would like to see more compulsory regulation at the manufacturing stage and I have been reassured that Ministers and officials from the UK will table another position paper to our EU partners, requesting a move from a voluntary standing to a compulsory redesign of the blinds.

'I also met representatives from the British Standards Institute and British Blinds and Shutters Association in order to stress the importance of the need for change and we had a very useful exchange.

'In the meantime, I will be doing my utmost to keep the matter in the public eye. Household items should not be responsible for the death of children.'