§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the EC directive on footwear labelling; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighRepresentations on the EC directive on footwear labelling have been received from a number of bodies representing the interests of manufacturers, retailers and consumers and the comments made have been relayed to the Commission. The directive has undergone several revisions in the light of these comments. However, although there is general support for the aim of the directive, we regard certain of the provisions as unsatisfactory as currently drafted. My officials will continue to press for amendments to these provisions in Community discussions.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to support footwear consumer information labelling consisting of either lettering or symbols, instead of only symbols.
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§ Mr. LeighThe Government do not consider that the symbols which have been proposed by the Commission are satisfactory. We have indicated to the Commission that in our view the use of symbols should be optional and not obligatory and that it should be permissable to label footwear either text or symbols. We shall continue to press for an amendment to this effect.