§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he has disbanded his Department's anti-counterfeiting unit; and if he consulted the Publishers Association before so doing.
§ Mr. Channon[pursuant to the reply, 13 February 1984, c. 21]: A special unit to review the Government's 155W policy on counterfeiting was established by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Trade in January 1983. This review was completed last December and its conclusions recorded in my written reply of 22 December to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Mr. Bright) at c. 359–60.
The unit's work ceased with the fulfilment of its terms of reference and the timing of this was not a matter for consultation. There were extensive contacts during the period of the review with those concerned with the problem of counterfeiting. These included the Publishers Association, with which my Department continues to maintain close contacts. The Government take the problem of counterfeiting most seriously and the Department will continue to do all it can to help those affected by this pernicious practice.