§ 46. Mr. Butcherasked the Secretary of State for Trade what conclusions he has come to following the review of origin marking of goods announced on 25 July 1979.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimI refer my hon. Friend to replies which I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and Ripon (Dr. Hampson) on 16 June 1980.—[Vol. 986, c. 1104–5.]
§ 50. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has discussed the content of recent consultative documents on the importance of country or origin marking with national Governments of European Economic Community countries, and the Commission of the European Economic Community to ensure that consumer protection, and the promotion of British products, does not put British manufacturers at a disadvantage with their competitors in European Economic Community countries.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimMy officials are in discussion with the Commission of the European Community on the consultative paper on country of origin marking of certain consumer goods which 371W I issued on 21 May 1980. At the same time, consultations are proceeding here with a wide range of industrial, commercial, consumer and other organisations whose comments will be fully taken into account in considering the form and extent of any new measures.
It would, however, be wrong to suggest that the measure would be directed to the promotion of British products, which can already be marked on a voluntary basis. Formal discussions with individual Community member States are not contemplated for what would essentially be a consumer protection and information measure operating within the United Kingdom.