Written question asked by Desmond Swayne (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 October 2002. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 21 October 2002 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures have been taken to ensure that disposable nappies containing tributyl tin are excluded from UK markets; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures have been taken to ensure that disposable nappies containing tributyl tin are excluded from UK markets; and if she will make a statement. [73990] Miss Melanie Johnson: No measures have been necessary. Whilst trace levels of tributyl tins (TBT) were reported in certain brands of disposable nappies on sale in Germany in May 2000, this was claimed to be due to contamination during the manufacturing process and was subsequently eliminated. Organotins such as TBTs are not intentionally added to these products. A survey undertaken for the DTI by LGC Ltd (formerly the Laboratory of the Government Chemist), showed that there was no risk to the health of babies in disposable nappies sold in the UK.

Secondary information