§ 39. Mrs. Doris Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the powers which weights and measures departments of local authorities have to investigate complaints concerning gold and silver articles, since the coming into force of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.
§ Mr. RidleySection 28 of the Act confers powers of entry, inspection and seizure for ascertaining, whether offences against the Act—including false indications of testing, approval, composition and date of manufacture—have been committed.
§ Mrs. FisherAs the assay offices now do all the merchandise marking and consumer protection in the gold and silver trades for local authorities, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that under the new legislation they will continue to safeguard the consumers?
§ Mr. RidleyWho will be enforcing the new hallmarking legislation has not yet been finally decided, but we shall certainly bear the hon. Lady's comments in mind before reaching a decision.