§ 3. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to give to hon. Members with regard to the marking of rayon, cotton and woollen goods with the Kite Mark guarantee of quality which, almost two years ago, he assured the House would be done as a form of assurance to the public.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI have at no time given an assurance that the Kite Mark would be applied to textiles. As I have made clear on many previous occasions, 1335 both the adoption of standards and the use of certification marks must remain voluntary.
§ Miss BurtonIs it not within the recollection of the House that the right hon. Gentleman gave an assurance, on behalf of the rayon industry, that goods reaching this standard would be so marked?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI gave an answer to the hon. Lady on the question of rayon goods some months ago.
§ Miss BurtonOn a point of order. Has the House no redress at all when a Minister gives a guarantee and does not carry it out?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI gave no guarantee at any time that I would compel any industry to apply any mark.
§ 29. Mr. Albuasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that furniture manufacturers are giving full support to the B.S.I. certification mark scheme based on the performance tests worked out by the Furniture Development Council.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe support given to this scheme has varied as between the different types of goods, but I hope that an increasing number of manufacturers will ask for licences to apply the Kite Mark to their furniture as time goes on.
§ Mr. AlbuIn view of the categorical assurance given the House by the Parliamentary Secretary, when the Utility Scheme was abolished last year, that he would keep in close touch with the situation, has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the anxieties expressed by the furniture trade operatives' trade unions on this matter?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftYes, and I shall keep in touch with the situation.