§ Ms ShortTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make it his policy to accept annexe III of the draft directive on precious metals only if traditional marks remain permitted; and if he will make a statement; [40720]
(2) if Her Majesty's Government intend to support the draft precious metals directive; and if he will make a statement; [40719]
(3) what assessment has been made of the views of jewellery manufacturers and retailers on the proposed European directive on precious metals; and if he will make a statement. [40716]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe Government attach great importance to the maintenance of traditional Assay Office marks and will continue to press for these to be permitted, within the terms of any directive. However, he will continue to oppose the adoption of any precious metals directive which includes manufacturer marking on this basis of self-certification, as in annexe III of the current draft. Manufacturer marking on this basis is an inadequate form of consumer protection. The Government have consulted the British jewellery manufacturers and retailers throughout negotiations on the directive.
§ Ms ShortTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment has been made of the likely effect of the Houtwipper decision in the European Court of Justice on the British jewellery industry; and if he will make a statement; [40717]
(2) what review his Department has undertaken of the Hallmarking Act 1973 in following the Houtwipper judgment in the European Court; and if he will make a statement. [40718]
§ Jonathan EvansThe Government are considering what the implications of the Houtwipper judgment, ECJ 293/93, might be for the Hallmarking Act 1973 and the British jewellery industry, having regard to the industry's concerns about the need to avoid confusion among customers in the marketplace, and to progress on negotiations on a draft directive to harmonise laws on the marking of precious metal articles.