HC Deb 11 December 1956 vol 562 cc197-8
7. Mrs. Mann

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the economic situation, and the possible increase in the cost of living, he will take steps now, to implement some of the recommendations of the Hodgson Committee, particularly weight fluctuations in packets and bottles, and contents of all goods sold in boxes, and so achieve some stability of prices.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

No, Sir.

Mrs. Mann

Is the President aware of how disappointed I am with that reply? Does he know that there is general disappointment at the hesitation of the Government to introduce the recommendations of the Hodgson Committee? Could he say when he is likely to introduce some of the recommendations?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Not this Session, but those recommendations have nothing to do with the stabilisation of prices.

Mr. Bottomley

Was not that Committee a very responsible Committee which did excellent work, and for the Government to ignore that work is not complimentary to those on the Committee?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Yes, the Committee has done a good job. The reason for this delay is not concerned with any question of not being complimentary to the Committee, which did very good work on complex and difficult problems; it is because there would not be time to introduce a major Bill of this character this Session.