§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce a standard dress size in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyAny new or revised British Standard is a matter primarily for the responsible Committee of the British Standards Institution. The Institution is independent of Government. I am advised that there are no plans to introduce a standard dress size in the United Kingdom. A British standard which provides for a system of designating the sizes of women's garments, BS3666 already exists. Except where special considerations such as safety apply, the Government's view is that the development, promotion and use of standards is best undertaken by industry itself, with the support of the British Standards Institution, in the light of consumer requirements in the market, on a voluntary basis.