§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy what research is being done on cold water detergents; and if he will make a statement on the value of cold water detergents to the economy.
§ Mr. John MooreMy Department commissioned a study by the Fabric Care Research Association on cold water detergents, the final report of which was received in July 1979, which concluded that even with the most suitable detergents there is a loss of washing efficiency at low temperatures and that new products and new designs of washing machine would be needed. Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh has now prepared a report on the same subject; copies were received in June 1980. This report concludes that efficient cold water detergents can be readily formulated and that major energy savings are possible.