HC Deb 06 June 1944 vol 400 c1198
62. Mr. Driberg

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that compensation for articles lost by laundries is still being limited to 20 times the charge for laundering; that this limitation has been unheld in the courts; and if he will take steps to make such limitation illegal.

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir. But I am glad to say that the Institution of British Launderers, at the request of my Department, has advised its members to waive this limitation when they are satisfied that a larger claim would be justified. I am advised that an Order making the limitation illegal would not be within the scope of the Defence Regulations.

Mr. Driberg

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how recently that advice was circulated, and whether it is in fact being put into practice?

Mr. Dalton

I could not give the dates without notice. It was circulated, as I have said, at the suggestion of my Department, in order to meet hard cases.