HC Deb 16 March 1981 vol 1 c13
14. Mr. Waller

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has any plans to extend the sector covered by the Origin Marking Order (S.I., 1981, No. 121).

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

I shall keep the case for extension under review; but my first priority is to implement the order, the principle of which has been widely welcomed, as it stands, before considering the case for bringing in new products or sectors.

Mr. Waller

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the special situation of the clothing industry over origin marking? If it can he shown that the purchaser of an article of clothing has an economic need to know the country where the cloth was made, as well as the country where the article was made up, will she consider extending the order?

Mrs. Oppenheim

I have received a number of representions on the matter, but I fear that it is not practical to extend the order in that way. However, manufacturers, textile weavers and suppliers of cloth are free to supply the information when goods are made up and they often do so.

Mr. Woolmer

Does the Minister recognise the strong feeling, in particular in the wool textile industry, about consumers being misled by labels which, for instance, on a wool suit state "Made in Britain", when, in fact, the cloth is imported? Is it not disgraceful for her to ask the industry to prove that the consumer will benefit from more accurate labelling? Is it not merely an excuse for non-action? Will she reconsider the point about the need for the consumer to know whether he is buying the product of a British worker?

Mrs. Oppenheim

If not disgraceful, it is remarkable that such criticisms should come from Opposition Members. They are vocal about wishing to extend the order, but their Government took no such steps when in office. I understand the textile industry's case, but it is for the industry to make representations to the manufacturers, most of whom will be pleased to put the label "British made" on textiles.

Mr. John Fraser

May I congratulate the right hon. Lady on making an order following on negotiations that I started about three years ago? Will she extend origin marking of foreign goods to cutlery and silverware blanks, which are imported from South-East Asia and plated in Sheffield but which are marked "Made in Sheffield" or "Made in England"?

Mrs. Oppenheim

With due respect, the hon. Gentleman appears to be woefully ignorant of the second order to be made, which refers specifically to cutlery and cutlery blanks. The matter is covered by the amending order. Many cutlery manufactures, including Viners Ltd., already mark on blades, for instance, "Made in Korea".