§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the sale of counterfeit goods at car boot sales.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy Department has no statistics concerning the sale of counterfeit goods at car boot sales, although it has received considerable evidence about the damage caused by the trade in counterfeit goods at such markets. The Trade Marks Bill, which has just been introduced, will help to combat counterfeiting, including at car boot sales.
§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about dangerous electrical items being sold at car boot sales.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI have received representations on a number of issues concerning car boot sales, including the safety of second-hand electrical goods.
We have considered carefully all the issues relating to car boot sales and have concluded that the existing powers of enforcement authorities to address these concerns are sufficient. The safety of second-hand electrical equipment sold in the course of business, whether at a car boot sale or otherwise, is adequately regulated by the Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1989.