HC Deb 17 April 1956 vol 551 cc819-20
4. Miss Burton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to give some details concerning the voluntary agreement reached by the laundry organisations, the British Standards Institution and the representatives of his Department on the problem of textile labelling for washing and cleaning purposes; or when he expects to be able to do so.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)

I am glad to say that full agreement has been reached between representatives of the laundries and textile and clothing associations, under the aegis of the British Standards Institution, on a code of recommended laundering instructions, which will be published as a British Standard very shortly.

Miss Burton

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that hon. Members on this side of the House are very glad that these years of negotiation have at last reached a successful conclusion? May I ask whether the hon. and learned Gentleman would consider publishing the terms of this agreement in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I will certainly give consideration to that as the hon. Lady requests, but, of course, the publication of the Standard is a matter for the British Standards Institute, as she will appreciate.