HC Deb 29 March 1955 vol 539 cc204-5
63. Mr. Awbery

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the deterioration in the quality of a number of goods such as furniture, clothing and boots, and that all people are not experts in detecting faults; and if he will consider introducing a utility tab or some mark to indicate the quality of the goods being purchased.

Mr. H. Strauss

I do not agree with the hon. Member that the quality of these goods has deteriorated. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer him to the answer that my right hon. Friend gave on 22nd February to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton).

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that there are faults in clothing, furniture and boots which cannot be detected by the housewife, but only by an inspector, and that if an inspector saw them and marked them before they were put on the market, it would give the housewife a protection which she has not got at the present time? May I inform the hon. and learned Gentleman that he is misinformed in saying that there is no deterioration in the goods produced today, and that the good tradesman would welcome such a reform?

Mr. Strauss

I am afraid that my information differs entirely from that of the hon. Gentleman.