§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for further controls regarding misleading price com parisons; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HowardAs indicated in the statement to this House by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Fletcher) on 4 March, the Government intend, as soon as parliamentary time is available, to introduce legislation replacing section 11 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Price Marking (Bargain Offers) Order 1979, as amended, by a new general prohibition on misleading price indications. Much of the necessary supporting detail, including paragraphs on misleading price comparisons, will be contained in a statutory code of practice. Consultation on the drafting of such a code is currently being undertaken by my Department with the trade, consumer organisations, enforcement authorities and the Office of Fair Trading.