§ 2.55 p.m.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken on the recommendations of the Munro Report.
§ THE MINISTER or STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government accepted and implemented the recommendation in the Munro Report that it would be reasonable to grant relief from value added tax to footwear previously exempt from purchase tax. With the approval of the Secretary of State for Social Services the Health Education Council has set aside funds to enable it to give some priority to education in foot health.
Other recommendations in the Report raise complex long-term issues which are still being explored.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that full reply. Would he not agree that the foot health of small children is of great importance? I noted that he said the matter was complex. Could he give the House some idea of when the instruction to have a British standard for children's footwear can be initiated?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I agree that this is a very important matter; but even the Munro Report recognised the very considerable practical difficulties involved. The noble Baroness did us less than justice on the occasion of the debate on the Queen's Speech by saying that it was 18 months since the Report was published. It was published only last March. We have been in consultation with other Government Departments and shall be so with the numerous trade bodies and other organisations who wish to be consulted.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I must apologise to Her Majesty's Government for misquoting the date; but it seemed like 18 months and, in fact, as the recommendations are very simple, may I hope that the one on standards will be expedited?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I am afraid they are not simple. The Munro Report spoke of the considerable practical difficulties. It went on to say that the process will be a long one. I am afraid it is not as simple as the noble Baroness makes out.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I do not know whether the Minister's memory goes back as far as mine, but is he aware that in the early 1950s in another place we were trying to get a standard for children's shoes? The noble Lord said that progress is slow. Would he not agree that 21 years is particularly slow?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, the noble Baroness's memory goes back further than mine. I know that there was some agreement; but it fell into disuse. This shows how difficult it is to find standards to which people will adhere rather than to take the trend of fashion which is a rather more prevalent practice.