House debates looped blind cords

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 14th Mar 2008

A debate on the banning of looped cord blinds took place in the House of Commons this week. Ochil and South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks wants the UK brought into line with America, which outlawed the cords 10 years ago.

The debate follows the death of two-year-old Muireann McLaughlin last month who became tangled in a cord at her home in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire. Mr Banks wants a new British standard for blind manufacturers.

The MP said he was also in the process of raising the issue with Baroness Morgan in Westminster who has responsibility for the British Standards Institute.

He said: "I hope a change in the acceptable design standards of blinds can be achieved so that no other family has to experience the tragedy that has been visited upon the McLaughlins. Safety groups believe that looped blind cords kill up to two people per year in the UK but the number may in fact be greater. However everyone agrees that this is an unacceptable figure. I would urge all parents to cut their cords now."

The debate took place in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 12 March.