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SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY:
Sir, I am not aware of the precise figures
in Japan, but to deal with the general question of safety labels or safety rules,
our policy is to only introduce legislation, safety legislation, or safety rules
for particular products when a clear problem exists which needs to be tackled.
We have a range of ordinances, for instance, the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, to deal with particular products where a problem arises. This does not appear to be the case so far with toys, despite this particular example. However, we are
looking again at whether some new legal provision is needed which would enable us to
stop the sale of products where life or health is clearly threatened and where existing safety legislation cannot be used.
(in Cantonese)
Mr. LIU :
also
Sir, will the Government review other toys that will also cause
harm, for example arrows or darts ?
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Sir, certainly we can look at other toys
have but I have to say that the number of complaints or cases which we we had are very few and there is no sign that there is a general problem of dangerous toys causing significant problems in Hong Kong.
Cap
Mrs.CHOW: Sir, is Government aware that the Consumer Council has actually conducted
tests on toy guns readily available on the market supposedly of less than
guns tested two joules.pellets of the X have penetrated cardboard of 1 cm thick when fired
The
from a distance of 11 m.
Will Government be conducting similar
tests to establish whether present regulations are adequate and if they are found to be inadequate will they be revised to prevent future mishaps?
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Sir, yes, I am aware of the Consumer Council's tests
and it is partly because of that work that I stated in my earlier answer that
we would be looking again at the need whether we need some new legal provision from
this.
Dr.
and,
HO: Is the Secretary for Trade and Industry aware that certain types of toy guns with muzzle energy great enough to inflict actual bodily injuries are already banned from use in country parks by Agriculture Fisheries Department and are also banned in some private apartment blocks by their residents' managements? Can Government consider extending such prohibition to public housing estates and other public places?