§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has received the 6th Progress Report of the Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend has received the Sixth Report, and also the Seventh (published on 1st December). The Committee are not satisfied that a complete solution to the problem has been found, although they record substantial progress in the production of a softer detergent. He expects further progress when manufacturers put into force their undertaking to cease using hard-base materials from the end of this year. He does not think that any action on his part is needed now, but he will watch the position.