Hallmarking (Hansard, 18 July 1990)

§ 122. Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the British system of hallmarking is safeguarded when legislation to harmonise hallmarking is introduced.

§ 140. Mr. Orme
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the British system of hallmarking is safeguarded when legislation to harmonise hallmarking is introduced.

§ Mr. Forth
The EC Commission has recently indicated that it intends to put forward proposals on the control and marking of precious metals. We shall seek to maintain an adequate level of protection for the consumer in the United Kingdom in discussion on any proposals which are put forward.

§ Mr. Crowther
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure the continued mandatory hallmarking of silver cutlery made in Britain following the creation of the single European market.

§ Mr. Forth
[holding answer 17 July 1990]: The European Community Commission has recently indicated that it intends to put forward proposals on the control and marking of precious metals. We shall seek to maintain an adequate level of protection for the consumer in the United Kingdom in discussions on any proposals which are put forward.