Look-alike Products

HC Deb 26 March 1998 vol 309 cc218-9W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures her Department is proposing to take to protect brand manufacturers from look-alike products. [35775]

Mr. Ian McCartney

[holding answer 25 March 1998]My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs met representatives of the British Brands Group (BBG) and Anti-Copying in Design (ACID) on 20 January to discuss the concerns they have about look-alike products. We understand the BBG and ACID propose to make further representations to this Department following that meeting. My hon. Friend made it clear at that meeting that we would also need in due course to consider the views of others with an interest in this issue. In particular the Government are concerned to ensure that the interests of the consumer are fully represented and considered.

During the debate on the Competition Bill in another place, Lord Haskel made it clear that the Government believe that the Bill is not an appropriate vehicle to deal with this issue.