§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if has changed his policy in respect of resistance to moves to permit manufacturers' self-certification under the EU draft directive on the marking of precious metal articles. [17439]
§ Mr. Ian Taylor[holding answer 31 March 1995]: There has been no change of policy. The Government believe that manufacturers' self-certification offers a lower form of guarantee to consumers than independent marking of precious metal articles, as practised by the United Kingdom assay offices. This was made clear in the Council of Ministers' meeting on March 30, when the current draft directive was not accepted.