Product Safety Unit Nominee OKd by Panel

The Senate Commerce Committee voted 9 to 7 Thursday to recommend confirmation of Terrence M. Scanlon as chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, despite allegations that he used government staff members and equipment for anti-abortion activities.

Scanlon, acting chairman of the commission, which regulates product safety, has been under investigation after allegations made by Joan Claybrook, president of the Public Citizen lobby.

Bid for Delay Rejected

The committee voted despite a request by Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Commerce Committee, and Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), chairman of a House health subcommittee, that it withhold action until the Justice Department decides if Scanlon should be prosecuted.

Scanlon denied to investigators from the General Accounting Office and to the Senate panel that he had used any government resources for personal work.

But Sen. John C. Danforth (R-Mo.), the committee chairman, wrote Scanlon that one of his employees had cited instances in which he had used a federal worker to handle personal business.

Responds to Criticism

Scanlon responded by letter that “my best recollection is that, over the three-year period I have served at the commission, this employee did type or copy a personal letter or document for me on occasion.”

But Scanlon contended that “these occasions were very sporadic and limited in number” and that the GAO investigation “has shown this was in no way a regular practice.”

Claybrook charged that Scanlon “lied under oath” to the GAO and the Senate and therefore should be disqualified from public office.

“I don’t think he’s fit to be chairman,” said Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.), who voted against confirmation.