HC Deb 17 December 1979 vol 976 c8
8. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from the Scottish Knitwear Council on the subject of misleading labelling of textiles by foreign manufacturers, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

The Scottish Knitwear Council wrote to me on Friday seeking an amendment to the Trade Descriptions Act 1972. This matter is now under consideration by my Department.

Mr. Dalyell

If the Minister were to buy a sweater marked "Pringle", would he not think that it came from Hawick, but if he were to look closely at the label and found that there was a tiny "s" in front of the name, making it "Springle" would-he not discover that it came from Taiwan? Is there not a need for labelling legislation, and should it not be a requirement in mail order catalogues to list the country of origin?

Mr. Parkinson

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is a condition of the Trade Descriptions Act that the name or mark must be accompanied by a conspicuous indication of the country of manufacture. My view is that what the hon. Gentleman describes does not fit in with the Trade Descriptions Act and is not a conspicuous indication. I suggest that he advises the manufacturers to report the matter to the trading standards authority in their area which is responsible for enforcing the law.