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Islington covered a very wide range and included toy pianos, xylophones, building bricks, trucks, trains,
cars, roundabouts, animals and many others. Quantities of lead discovered in these toys varied from 5,100
to 110,000 p.p.m. In the latter case, legal proceedings were instituted, but owing to the failure or refusal of
the retailer to provide sufficient evidence by way of invoices, it was not possible to proceed against the
importers, thus illustrating a defect in the legislation.
The percentage of all toys sampled in Islington failing to meet the legal standards has dropped from
44% to 13%. Of the imported toys, 16% of those sampled between 30th April 1971 and 31st December,
1972 were found to be unsatisfactory. It would be safe to assume, therefore, that the Consumer Protection
Act 1971 has had some effect in reducing the volume of dangerous toys. Nevertheless, assuming Islington's
figures to be representative, the number of unsatisfactory toys imported into the country must still be
considerable and continue to present a serious hazard to children's health.
The 1971 Act may have resulted in some importers going to great lengths to ensure that toys made
abroad comply with British Standards but, in spite of guarantees given by foreign manufacturers,
unsatisfactory toys are still being sold in this country. Thus the validity of "Warranties" given by foreign
firms to importers as a means of defence under the Act must be seriously open to question. The Act does
not prevent the importation, distribution or sale to the public of toys before it can be ascertained whether
or not they have complied with the relevant regulations.
A report was prepared and subsequently submitted to the Health Committee recommending that the
Association of Municipal Corporations again be asked to make urgent and strong representations to the
appropriate Government Department with the object of preventing the importation of toys which do not
meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1967.
TOXIC BEADS (SEED NECKLACES)
The Police from Upper Street and Caledonian Road Stations submitted necklaces suspected of having
toxic properties which had been handed in by residents following press publicity. The necklaces were submitted
to the Public Analyst for examination and report and one of the necklaces, 48" long, was composed
entirely of threaded red seeds of Abrus Precatorius (the Jequirity Seed). These seeds are known to have
toxic properties on ingestion or absorption. The Police reported back to the owners and later requested this
department to have the necklaces destroyed.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT 1951
There are no premises in the borough licensed for the manufacture of storage of rag flock. During the
year a reappraisal was carried out and firms no longer trading were removed from the register, as a result of
which there are now only 13 premises registered as upholsterers under the Act. Three formal samples of
various filling materials were taken towards the end of the year, all of which were certified by the Public
Analyst as complying with the standards laid down in the regulations.
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
A private Member's Bill has been presented to Parliament with the object of strengthening the law
relating to the control of employment agencies and new legislation is expected during 1973.
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