HC Deb 29 January 1953 vol 510 cc1178-9
30. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning those standards agreed by the British Standards Institution for standard description of fibre content of wool cloths.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Henry Strauss)

Discussions on this matter are proceeding between the British Standards Institution and those concerned in trade and industry, and I prefer not to make a statement at the present stage.

Miss Burton

I know about those discussions. Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the wool textile delegation has repeatedly refused to consider giving the fibre content of mixture cloths, and is this not contrary to Government policy as already expressed?

Mr. Strauss

I am most anxious that these discussions shall come to a satisfactory conclusion, but I am convinced that that would not happen if I were to make a further declaration on that subject today.

Mr. Bottomley

If the British Standards Institution do have difficulties, will the Minister give an assurance that the Government will take appropriate action with the manufacturers so that the information required is supplied?

Mr. Strauss

One of the difficulties in the present case, as has been revealed in the correspondence in "The Times," is that they are not allowed to get on with their job without undue publicity being given to one side or the other while these discussions are proceeding.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that if there had not been this publicity a very disastrous decision might have been taken? Does he not know that the wool producers of the West Riding are adamantly refusing even now to consider naming fibre content of these cloths? Has not the public a right to know what it is buying?

Mr. Strauss

I am sure the hon. Lady thinks that she is helping the cause which she desires to serve by not letting these discussions proceed a little longer. I sincerely take a different view. I do not believe that any useful purpose is served by insulting a great industry.

Sir W. Darling

Will my hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that the consumers of these commodities have not the slightest curiosity about the amount of fibre or wool which is contained in any fabric?