§ 25. Mr. Bossomasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what steps he is taking to ensure that articles, fitments or accessories, which his Ministry has decided to standardise, will be designed by the best recognised designers in each instance?
§ Mr. HicksSo far as war-time standardisation is concerned, it has been dictated solely by need for economy of materials and labour; the industry has been consulted and the standard specifications have been issued through the British Standards Institution machinery. So far as postwar standardisation is concerned, the Minister has established a standardisation branch of the Directorate of Post-War Building in the charge of Mr. Francis Lorne, and one of the special Committees of the Directorate will deal with standards for all consumer requirements, including articles, fitments and accessories. It will advise on the means to ensure the best scientific and aesthetic results.
§ Mr. BossomAs there will probably be millions of these articles made in the next 50 years, is it not essential that the very best designers in the country should be employed to design them?
§ Mr. BossomWhat provision has the Minister made to do this so far?
§ Mr. HicksThe need for economy in labour and material is the condition which has been imposed during the period of the war. Secondly, we have a highly qualified gentleman in charge of one of the committees, and any representation can be made to him, and all the ability that we have in the country will be harnessed to produce the result that the hon. Member desires.