HC Deb 25 July 1979 vol 971 cc274-5W
Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to introduce measures to require all imported goods to be marked with their country of origin.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

I have asked officials to carry out a review of policy in this area and my right hon. Friend has recently made a formal reference to the National Consumer Council to undertake a survey to establish whether consumers want and need to know the country in which consumer goods are made and how and in what way any country of origin information already available affects their buying decisions. If we should decide to introduce origin marking in the consumer interest under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968—either generally or for particular types of goods—then we would, of course, consult widely with interested parties.