§ Mr. Cryerasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to ensure that goods offered for retail sale are marked with the country of origin; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeI have no plans to do so. The European Court of Justice, in its 1985 judgment against the former Trade Descriptions (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) Order 1981, has already made it clear that such a requirement would be in breach of Article 30 of the treaty of Rome. However, it is and will remain a criminal offence to mislead consumers about the origin of goods.