§ LORD CASEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to help the Consumer Council in its promotion of a National Labelling Scheme by legislation requiring disclosure of the fibre content of textile goods; and in this connection what action is contemplated by Her Majesty's Government to protect shoppers when purchasing clothing and other textiles made to resemble wool goods; also what is the attitude of Her Majesty's Government towards the recognition of the symbol "Woolmark", as a means of 238WA guaranteeing to the consumer the quality of the product that is being offered.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNI understand that the Consumer Council are investigating, with other interested bodies, the possibility of devising a "national label-ling scheme" and that they have suggested that one of the basic principles is that the scheme should be a voluntary and not a statutory one. Legislation of the kind described in the Question would not be consistent with this principle.
As regards the second part of the Question, the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1953, make it an offence to apply to goods a false or misleading description as to the material of which they are composed. The Molony Committee recommended that revised merchandise marks legislation should also provide power to require the labelling of designated goods with prescribed information. The preliminary proposals for such legislation, on which my right honourable friend's Department have recently invited trade organisations and other interested bodies to comment include provision for such power.
The symbol "Woolmark" could be officially recognised by its acceptance for registration as a certification trade mark. As soon as application is completed, my right honourable friend will consider whether it can be accepted.
House adjourned at four minutes past nine o'clock.