§ 12. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that deadlock has been reached between the British Standards Institution and manufacturers, following all reasonable negotiation, whether Her Majesty's Government will now consider legislation on a consumer standard.
§ Mr. ErrollNo, Sir. There is no general deadlock. Discussions about the application of the Kite Mark to consumer goods have come to a standstill on one item only, children's footwear. In any case, my right hon. Friend and I do not consider that compulsory standards would be the best way of serving the consumer's interests.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that I am very grateful, after three and a half years, to have wrung an admission from him that deadlock has been reached in this matter of children's footwear? Will he now enlighten me on something which is really puzzling me? If the Government are not prepared to legislate when manufacturers refuse to co-operate with the B.S.I., what is the answer? Is the consumer to do without a standard in children's footwear because the manufacturers say that they will not co-operate with the B.S.I.?
§ Mr. ErrollNo, I do not think that we should generalise on the basis of one example only of deadlock. I think that we should also rely on the strong competition which exists in these articles; there are many possible choices which the customer has before making a purchase of children's footwear.
§ Miss BurtonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible—not, of course, mentioning legislation.