§ 9. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement upon the discussions which commenced in September last between the British Standards Institution and footwear manufacturers on standards for certain components of children's shoes; and when he expects these to be concluded.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe manufacturers asked the Consumer Advisory Council of the British Standards Institution to suggest what might usefully be covered by standards for children's footwear components, and the Council's views are now being considered. I have no powers to hurry them up.
§ Miss BurtonIf the right hon. Gentleman is sincere in wanting to hurry this, and he has said that he does, is he not aware that more than a year ago we were told that deadlock had been reached over children's footwear and that on 7th April this year we were told that these discussions had been commenced? Does he know that the B.S.I. has not fixed any 1492 date for further discussions, and will he do something about it?
§ Sir D. EcclesIt is taking a very long time, but I do not possess powers to force these people to meet if they do not want to do so.
§ Miss BurtonSince I first raised this matter of children's footwear some five years ago, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time by now for him to have taken these powers?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir.