Gordon Banks urges Government for ban on looped blind cords

17 March 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks spoke out in an Adjournment Debate last week urging the Government to implement a ban on looped blind cords.

Mr Banks secured the Westminster debate after the tragic death of Menstrie toddler, Muireann McLaughlin who died after she became entangled in a blind cord at home last month.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Banks said –

“I was grateful for the opportunity to put forward a strong case for a new British Standard for the blind industry.”

“The Minister acknowledged that there was a need for change and he informed me that there were already discussions taking place at European level on this very issue. I have been invited to meet the Minister and his officials to assess whether these new proposals go far enough.”

“I believe discussions taking place centre around adaptation to the existing blind designs. If this is the case, I will be pushing strongly for a complete rethink as adaptations can always be removed.”

“We need a complete re-design of blind mechanisms to ensure they are as safe as they can be rather than looking at add-ons which can always be removed or not even used in the first place.”

We must surely acknowledge that continued deaths from a poorly designed product cannot be allowed to continue.