§ 26. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the financial and other effects on United Kingdom manufacturing industry of the trade in counterfeit goods allegedly made in Britain. [21967]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Government have not made their own assessment of the effects of the trade in counterfeit goods. They are, however, aware of industry estimates that, in 1993, over £300 million worth of counterfeit goods were in circulation in the United Kingdom. They are also aware of evidence of an increase in the amount of counterfeits which originate in the United Kingdom and trading standards officers and the police are being encouraged to pursue counterfeiters.