‘Pyjama campaign moving slowly’ (From The Northern Echo)

‘Pyjama campaign moving slowly’

8:25am Monday 21st April 2008 in

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A EURO MP at the forefront of efforts to establish new legislation on flame-resistant clothing for children last night said that the process was moving forward - albeit slowly.

Stephen Hughes MEP said he remained committed to the cause and was confident that legislation would eventually be introduced.

Mr Hughes is one of several high-profile supporters of the Protect Our Children campaign, which includes fellow MEP Fiona Hall, six MPs and Bruce Philp - a leading burns plastic surgeon from Chelmsford, in Essex.

The petition has also attracted the signatures of ordinary people from across the world, with supporters from as far afield as Estonia, Belgium, Holland and the US.

Mr Hughes said that the EU's scientific committee still has concerns about the affect that the chemicals used to make clothing flame resistant could have on children.

"I wish I could say we will get there tomorrow, but the wheels move slowly," he said.

"We are still pressing the scientific committee and the petition is with the petitions committee.

"The scientific committee needs to reach agreement but some members are proving to be obstinate.

"There is still this argument that the harm the chemicals used to make the material flame resistant can cause outweighs the overall protection that can be gained.

"They are okay about it being used in loose-fitting clothes, but not in tight-fitting pyjamas.

"In the US - where they take the protection of children very seriously - it is used in both and I don't see why we should be any different."

He added: "Maria Matsouka (the vice president of the petitions committee) was very sympathetic to this case and would like to see legislation introduced.

"She is lobbying the issue for us and keen to see this resolved."

There is a European standard for children's night clothes - but they are for guidance only and are not enforceable by law.

To create binding legislation there would need to be agreement from the European Commission, EU member countries and the European Parliament.

The issue is expected to be discussed further at a meeting of the petitions committee in the summer.