§ 95. Mr. Harrisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what measures are contemplated to deal with the unsatisfactory position of the furniture trade; the excessive profits being made by certain sections of the trade; and the inferior design and quality of the work, as revealed by the Report of the Board of Trade working party for the industry.
§ Mr. MarquandThe report made a number of valuable recommendations designed to increase the general efficiency of the industry and to improve the standard of design and quality of furniture when the utility scheme comes to an end. It contained no charge that excessive profits were being made in the furniture industry, nor did it comment adversely on the design and quality of utility furniture, which is the only furniture at present being manufactured.
My right hon. and learned Friend is anxious that action should be taken on this report as quickly as possible but he is not in a position to make any general statement on policy until both sides of the industry have had time to consider the report and discuss it with him. In the meantime, the price, quality and design of furniture continue to be closely controlled under the utility furniture scheme.