A PERTHSHIRE MP has won a partial victory in the battle to ban potentially deadly loop blind cords in the wake of a youngster’s tragic death, but has vowed to continue the fight.

Gordon Banks took up the cause after two-year-old Muireann McLaughlin was killed when she became entangled in the common cord in the bedroom of her home in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, in February.

Such cords are banned in many places but freely used in the UK, despite an average of two deaths a year being attributed to them.

After a short but fierce campaign, European Union rules are to be introduced in June but, because they are voluntary, the MP for Ochils and South Perthshire said more has to be done.

Speaking after a ceilidh to mark Muireann’s life, at which he accepted a 3500-signature petition calling for more stringent controls, he said, “I would like to see more compulsory regulation in the manufacturing of loop cord blinds and I have been reassured that ministers and officials from the UK will table another position paper to our EU partners, requesting a move from a voluntary standing to a compulsory redesign of the blinds.

“It is of paramount importance that action is taking regarding looped blind cords and that is why I am campaigning in Westminster to get the legislation changed.

“A petition calling for a change in legislation has already received 3500 signatures and I will be submitting this to the House of Commons in the coming weeks.

“As part of my campaign at Westminster, I have already instigated a debate and tabled an early day motion which has attracted the support of 78 of my colleagues on a cross-party basis from all around the UK.

“I held a subsequent meeting with the innovation and skills minister, Ian Pearson, and I am pleased that new European Union regulations regarding loop blind cords will be introduced in June 2008.

“However this will take the form of a voluntary code and I do not feel that this goes far enough.

“I will be meeting with representatives from the British Standards Institute and British Blinds and Shutters Association in order to stress the importance of the need for change.

“In the meantime, I will be doing my utmost to keep the matter in the public eye. After all, household items should not be responsible for the death of children.”

The proceeds of the ceilidh, held at Broomhall Castle in Menstrie will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation, British Heart Foundation and Menstrie Nursery, which will construct a memorial to Muireann in its new garden.

Mr Banks said, “I felt privileged to attend a ceilidh that celebrated the life of a very special young child.”