§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what plans he now has to introduce compulsory origin marking legislation as favoured by many United Kingdom clothing manufacturers, to help stop the growth in unfair and fraudulent trading practices.
§ Mr. Nott[pursuant to the reply, official Report, 13 February 1980]: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs announced to the House on 17 December 1979—[Vol. 976, c. 18–20]—that in the light of the two consumer surveys which she commissioned she was proposing to enter into more detailed discussions with representative interests on extending our present origin marking requirements in the consumer interest. These discussions have now begun and will include the textiles and clothing sectors. A further statement will be made to the House in due course.
False indications of the origin of goods supplied or offered in the course of a trade or business are already prohibited by the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.