§ Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she will take action to ensure that all footwear items are clearly marked with their country of origin so that customers are made aware of this.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Trade Descriptions Act 1972 already requires origin marking for all imported goods to which a United Kingdom name or mark is applied. I have no power to require further origin marking, except where this appears necessary or expedient in the interests of persons to whom goods are supplied. I do not consider that this condition is satisfied in respect of footwear. 121W But there will be an opportunity to review the scope of the powers during the current review of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. Meanwhile domestic manufacturers are free, of course, to mark their footwear as made in Britain.