§ 4. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at the meeting of the Council of the International Launderers' Association held in Stockholm last month the need for an international code of informative textile labelling was unanimously agreed; that all members were authorised to take steps, in the name of the Council, with their respective Governments and manufacturers to press for the introduction of such a system as urgently as possible; and if, therefore, he is now in a position to make a statement on the discussions which have been taking place between the British Standards Institution and the Institution of British Launderers on this matter.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. No approach on the matter has been made to me by the Institution of British Launderers. The last part of the Question does not therefore arise.
§ Miss BurtonAm I wrong in assuming—because I was given the information—that shortly after the end of the war the British Launderers' Association had been having discussions with the British Standards Institution on this matter?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI should perhaps say that the British Standards Institution is, as the hon. Lady knows, an independent body incorporated by Royal Charter. It would not be right for me to try to interfere in its day-to-day work, nor have I any responsibility for answering questions about that work. Perhaps the hon. Lady would consult the Institution.