Gordon Banks meets with Government Minister to continue to press for reform on Looped Blind Cords

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks met with Innovation Minister Ian Pearson last week as part of his campaign to change the British Standard on Looped Blind Cords. The meeting followed on from Mr Banks Westminster debate on 12 March 2008 which called for the Government to better regulate the blind industry and to tighten up safety on blind cords which kill on average two people every year in the UK.

Mr Banks said –

“I was pleased that the Minister invited me to come along and look at what new proposals were being developed with regard to blind cord safety in partnership with our European neighbours.  Whilst I was not fully satisfied with the outcomes being put through currently, I was able to suggest some alternatives to the Minister and his advisers and I was assured that a paper would be presented at the next pan-European meeting to take these issues further.”

“We need a system where safety is considered at the design stage, not as an afterthought.  Relying on people to tie back their cords or to wrap them around hooks in not a satisfactory situation.  This change must be universal so that reputable companies do not find themselves priced out of the market by companies not adhering to the changes.

“A voluntary system of self regulation wouldn't be universal and would not eradicate these needless deaths.”

“I will continue to monitor this situation to ensure that window blind cords are as safe as they can be.”