Minister snubs talks on looped cords ban

Kevin McRoberts • Published 1 Sep 2010 16:20 1 Comment

FURIOUS Labour MP Gordon Banks has slammed UK Government Minister Ed Davey who has claimed he is too busy to discuss a possible ban on looped blind cords.

Mr Banks has been at the forefront of the campaign calling for a ban, which was launched by the Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser in 2008 following the tragic death of Muireann McLaughlin, a Menstrie toddler who was killed at her home when she became entangled in a looped blind cord.

Mr Banks, the MP for Ochil & South Perthshire, previously met Ministers and officials from the then Labour UK Government.

And in July this year, he requested a meeting with the Minister in the new Conservative-Lib Dem Government.

But Mr Davey eventually responded to Mr Banks' latest letter on 19 August stating, "Unfortunately, due to heavy diary commitments, I regret that I am unable to meet with you."

This latest refusal by the new Government comes hot on the heels of a refusal by House of Commons leader Sir George Young to discuss the issue in a Parliamentary debate.

Mr Banks had wanted to meet Mr Davey to discuss how best to resolve the issue of a possible ban and to find out how the Government intended to respond to a recent communiqué from officials in the EU, US and Canada who called for a swift response to the risks that certain window blinds pose.

Mr Banks said, "This is a truly disappointing response from the Minister.

"Mr Davey won't even take one hour out of his schedule to meet with me to discuss how best we can protect our children from the threat of looped blind cords.

"In fact he didn't even sign the letter personally which shows the level of importance he places upon this issue.

"This Government's failure to even engage the fundamental issue of redesign is a massive insult to all the families across the UK who have lost loved ones in this senseless way.

"I hope the Minister will rethink his response and that he will choose to engage constructively as soon as possible to ensure we avoid a repeat of these tragedies."

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• 

  redhopi
  28 posts
  Sep 1, 22:21
  Report comment

  Trust Gordon Banks to jump on any bandwagon going to try to make himself look good.
  
  There is no requirement to have a special law passed regarding looped cords, just a bit of common sense - which he seems to be lacking.
  
  Has he not heard of a pair of scissors? If you don't want a loop in your cord, just cut the cord.
  
  It does not require Gordon Banks to keep on about these cords; just each parent to make their own decision.
  
  Of course, Gordon Banks is so desparate to keep his name in the papers he will go with anything.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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