HC Deb 09 May 1985 vol 78 cc481-2W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implications of the decision of the European Court as to the incompatibility of current United Kingdom country of origin labelling requirements with article 30 of the treaty of Rome for the future policy of Her Majesty's Government on country of origin labelling.

Mr. Butcher

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for corporate and consumer affairs of 30 April, at column 92, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg).

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to assess the level of public support for country of origin labelling of products; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

My Department will be consulting a wide range of interested organisations in connection with the recent judgment of the European Court of Justice on the Trade Descriptions (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) Order 1981.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the employment implications for the United Kingdom of compliance with the recent judgment of the European Court on the legality of current United Kingdom country of origin labelling requirements.

Mr. Butcher

We shall be considering the views of interested parties on all the implications of the judgment, bearing in mind that the purpose of the order to which the judgment relates is to assist consumers in making their purchasing decisions.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the countries from which goods may be imported without country of origin labelling if the United Kingdom implements the recent judgment of the European Court on the legality of current United Kingdom country of origin labelling requirements.

Mr. Butcher

The judgment is directly relevant to goods imported from other member states of the European Community or goods originating from third countries which entered into free circulation within the Community before importation into the United Kingdom.