PREVENTION OF GLASS INJURIES IN PUBS AND CLUBS

Early day motion 245, tabled 24 January 2001 by Julie Morgan (Labour). Signed by 70 members.

That this House notes the serious nature of injuries sustained in pubs and clubs from pint and half pint capacity glasses and glass bottles; further notes the lasting physical and psychological scarring which frequently result from such injuries predominantly in young people; notes the substantial expenditure these injuries necessitate in terms of burdens on tax payers through criminal injury compensation awards; notes that research carried out at the University of Wales College of Medicine indicates that many injuries could be prevented through a switch to multi-layer plastic bottles and that there is a need to increase safety standards by 'kite marking' one pint and half pint capacity glasses to indicate conformity to basic manufacturing standards for toughened glass; congratulates all those involved in bringing about the almost universal adoption of toughened glass over the past five to 10 years; and now urges the replacement of glass bottles with multi-layer plastic bottles, urges the British Standards Institution to develop manufacturing standards for toughened glass and urges local authorities and the police to ban the carrying of glasses and glass bottles in public places.

Signatures by party: Labour 52, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2.