§ Mr. Mark LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with the European Commission regarding the future status of the Scottish hallmark; and if she will make a statement; [114327]
(2) what representations she has received requesting (a) the abolition of the Scottish hallmark and (b) the closure of the Edinburgh Assay Office; [114325]
(3) what representations she has received about the importance of the Scottish hallmark to sales of items of precious metals in Scotland. [114324]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not received any representations requesting the abolition of the Scottish hallmark and the closure of the Edinburgh Assay Office nor has she had any discussions with the European Commission about the status of the Scottish hallmark.
Department officials attended a meeting in Brussels in November 2002 at the request of the Danish Presidency to discuss the possibility of reviving the Draft EU Directive on the marking of previous metals. The Government has significant concerns about the Hallmarking Directive as currently drafted. There is little support among UK stakeholders for such a Directive, and there are no clear benefits to consumers, therefore we will not be supporting the draft Directive.
335WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received several re presentations about the importance of the Scottish hallmark to sales of items of precious metals in Scotland.