§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will introduce legislation requiring the accurate labelling of country or countries of origin and manufacture for all garments sold in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimImported goods sold here under a United Kingdom name or mark, or anything likely to be taken for such name or mark, are already 35W required by the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 to be accompanied by a conspicuous indication of the country in which they have been manufactured or produced. Unbranded goods are not presently required to be origin marked. However, as I announced on 25 July 1979–[Vol. 971, c. 273–4]—I am undertaking a review of policy in this area. I will be making a statement to the House as soon as possible after I have considered the results of two independent surveys carried out for me by the National Consumer Council and the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds to identify the consumer interest in the origin of goods.