HC Deb 28 January 1958 vol 581 cc185-6
17. Mr. Turton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the absence of particulars of weight from packets of soap powders and other detergents is causing confusion to both retailers and customers; and whether he will take the necessary steps to require that such packets bear particulars of their weight.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)

A requirement to mark soap powders and detergents cannot be imposed under existing legislation, but my right hon. Friend will bear this in mind when considering future legislation.

Mr. Turton

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that last night I sent his right hon. Friend an example of one packet of soap powder, with an advertised price of 1s. 9d., that weighed 1 lb. 9½ oz., and another packet, with an advertised price of 1s. 10d. but with a special price reduction of 4d., that weighed 1 lb. 2½ oz.? Does not he realise that this confusion is growing, especially with the issue of coupons relating to soap powders, and will he take early action to stop it?

Mr. Erroll

I carefully examined the two packets this morning, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) will be glad to learn that the larger packet, weight for weight, is, in fact, better value for money. I should like to reassure him that we have every sympathy with the need to bring into being an up-to-date law on this subject, but it must await Parliamentary time.

Mrs. Slater

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that it is about time that the Government implemented the policy which they put in the Gracious Speech about two years ago—that something was to be done about the Hodgson Report? This question of soap powders and cleaning powers is becoming nothing more or less than a racket. When the housewife gets the larger packet she thinks she is getting more for the money, when, in fact, she is very often getting less. If the hon. Gentleman wants more samples, I can provide him with them.

Mr. Erroll

We propose to do a good deal by regulation about foodstuffs, but we have no power to do anything about non-foodstuffs. I would remind the hon. Lady that this is, of course, a highly competitive industry, and that helps to keep down retail prices.