§ 4. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that agreement has been reached in the Netherlands between fabric manufacturers, housewives' organisations, and the laundry industry on a system of informative textile labelling; and if he will 2093 appoint a committee to investigate the possibilities of similar labels for washing and cleaning fabrics in this country.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the Netherlands agreement, which was reached on a voluntary basis. The British Standards Institution has already a committee, fully representative of the interests concerned, which is working towards a similar voluntary agreement in this country.
§ Miss BurtonWhile I believe that I am correct in stating that on 1st December we may reach a similar stage here, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that we have been four or five years getting there? Could he not give a push in this direction?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe hon. Lady's Questions have themselves given a push in this direction.