HC Deb 28 July 1988 vol 138 cc379-80W
Mr. French

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he has received any representations on the safety implications of faulty installations of roof-top dishes capable of receiving television programmes broadcast by satellite; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he has any plans to introduce a licensing system for installers of roof-top dishes capable of receiving television programmes broadcast by satellite; and if he will make a statement.

We propose to replace the 1972 Act with an order under section 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, which would require an indication of the place of production of goods to be given if the goods are presented in such a way that potential purchasers are likely to be misled about where the goods were produced. Consultations on a draft order for this purpose were carried out earlier this year.

In the light of the responses to the consultation, a number of amendments designed to clarify and strengthen the draft order have been made. In particular, the core provision of the order (article 2(1)) have been simplified; a requirement to indicate country of production if the place of origin could be misleading has been introduced; and the provisions dealing with the use of trade marks and language have been redrafted to make it clear that these factors are to be taken into account in assessing whether the presentation of goods is misleading as to their origin but they are not by themselves necessarily to be regarded as indicative of origin. These amendments should ensure that the order provides effective protection against misleading indications of origin.

Copies of the revised draft Trade Descriptions (Place of Production) (Marking) Order have been placed in the Libraries.

As required by section 38 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968,1 shall tomorrow advertise formally in the press and the London and Edinburgh Gazettes my intention to make this order. A period of at least 28 days during which representations may be made must then elapse before the order can be made. This will allow us to lay the final order before Parliament in good time before the necessary debates on the draft commencement order takes place.