PREVENTION OF GLASS INJURY IN PUBS AND CLUBS

Early day motion 310, tabled 16 December 2003 by Julie Morgan (Labour). Signed by 73 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 that lasting physical and psychological scarring frequently results 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; further 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; now urges the British Standards Institution to develop manufacturing standards for toughened glass and local authorities and the police to ban the carrying of glasses and glass bottles in public places.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 3, Independent Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.