HL Deb 28 November 1972 vol 336 cc1106-8
BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make relaxation orders in connection with the Trade Descriptions Act 1972, Section 1(5).

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry intends to make a number of exclusion or relaxation orders under Section 1(5). Exclusion orders are to be made for books, periodicals and catalogues; seeds for sowing; petroleum products, and certain articles of gold and silver. Permanent relaxations are to be given, subject to a conspicuous indication of the fact that they are imported, in four cases, one of which covers blends and mixtures of foods from more than one country, provided, in this case, that the goods bear a conspicuous indication that the foods were manufactured or produced in more than one country. A number of temporary relaxations are to be given for prepacked foods and other commodities for which strict compliance with the Act by December 29 would involve extra costs out of proportion to the value of the goods, or which might cause a serious interruption of supplies.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that very full reply and to ask him whether he will convey to his right honourable friend a request that there should be included those goods on which at the moment there is a requirement to mark the packet, the exterior, and the product. If this has to be done, it will of course ultimately make the price much higher.

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, if there is a problem in a particular case we shall of course be very pleased to consider it. In general, the advice which my Department has been giving is that if a mark is not visible on goods as displayed for sale and is not likely to become visible on a reasonable inspection—that is to say, it could not influence prospective purchases—then the only requirement is for a marking on the outside package.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I do not want to pursue the Minister too much on this matter; but would he agree that a refrigerator in a Cellophane package needs to have the mark on the Cellophane and also on the refrigerator?—because that is the type of case that I have been concerned with.

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, if this point has been put up for consideration there will shortly be a reply. If not, I will look into it.

LORD DONALDSON OF KINGSBRIDGE

My Lords, could the noble Earl explain what he means by the relaxation in the case of seeds for sowing? Is it not desirable that one should know the origin of seeds that one purchases for sowing in agriculture? I am surprised at this exception being made.

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, I am afraid that without notice I cannot give the reason for this. I think that possibly it is the difficulty of knowing in advance the precise sources of supply in individual trades. There may also be involved seasonal or other factors con cerned with climate and production. I will look into the matter and write to the noble Lord.