asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the action taken to free water heaters from hire purchase control, in order to improve fuel economy, he will now consider excluding electric washing machines from the Hire-Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1952.

No, Sir. I regret that I cannot make this further exclusion.

Will my right hon. Friend look into this matter personally, because it does not seem quite consistent with the promise of the Government?

The decision on water heaters took into account the recommendations of the Ridley Committee on fuel saving, which do not apply in the other case.