§ 25. Miss Burtonthe President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that discussions on standards for children's shoes have now been going on for more than four years; on what date those relating to certain components for children's shoes were commenced; and when he expects these to be concluded.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. John Rodgers)Yes, Sir. I understand that discussions between the British Standards Institution and footwear manufacturers on standards for certain components of children's shoes began in September last. I hope that satisfactory standards will emerge, but I cannot predict how soon that might be.
§ Miss BurtonDoes not even the Board of Trade get a little tired of this procrastination, which is a polite word for the delay? Does not the hon. Gentleman think that something should be done to bring these discussions to an early conclusion?
§ Mr. RodgersI think we ought to get this whole problem into more perspective than the hon. Lady's questions sometimes suggest. Through the survey recently carried out by the Consumer Advisory Council it was found that most people are reasonably satisfied with children's shoes and that 90 per cent. said that they would buy the same make again, while 63 per cent. said that they found nothing wrong.
§ Miss BurtonBut two-thirds of the people replying said that they were not satisfied with children's shoes. Will not the hon. Gentleman look at his figures again and not choose those which suit his purpose.
§ Mr. RodgersSo far as I am aware, only 10 per cent. expressed criticism of children's shoes.
§ Miss BurtonSixty per cent.