TNAG-0303-FCO40-339-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 22

ORIGIN MARKING

33. Existing origin marking orders, made under the Merchandise Marks Act 1926 (an essentially protectionist measure) on representations from UK manufacturers, will by virtue of express. provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 cease to apply after 19 November. Many cotton products are at present subject to such orders (eg woven cotton piece goods and articles made from them such as table cloths, bedding, towels; women's and girls' clothing including dresses, blouses and skirts; textile Smallwares; men's and boy's shirts and pyjamas, overalls and trousers) and representations have been received from several sections of the industry for new orders.

34. Under the Trade Descriptions Act power to make new Orders is limited to cases where they appear to be "necessary or cxpedient in the interest of the persons to whom such goods are supplied" ie in the interests of the customer but not in the interests of UK manufacturers. (Such an order would normally extend to all goods of the type it covered, and not simply to imports).

35. We accept that origin marking may provide the consumer with a reliable guide to the characteristics of some goods, and put him on notice as respects some types of alliances of the need to make special enquiries about the availability of spares and servicing facilities. For other types of consumer goods, however, it has not so far been demonstrated that origin can be a trustworthy indicator to the shopper of the quality or nature of goods; and other arguments advanced for origin marking are of universal application, and not pointers to need for a selective order for some particular type of goods.

36. Some applicants for new orders have however suggested that the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act against false indications of origin (which apply to all goods and not merely those already subject to marking orders) may not be wide enough to ensure that the consumer is not misled into supposing that imported goods are in fact British, in the absence of a direct statement of origin. If this is so, it would of course be a matter for considerable

concern.

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37. However, Mr Normanton, MP, will be introducing for hir Peel HIP,

a new Bill which if it strengthens protection against false indications of origin will, according to Mr Nicholas Ridley's statement in the House of 15 November 1971, be given Government support. In the meantime steps must be taken to identify the ways in which deception might arise, and for that purpose trade associations which have contended that the problem will arise have been invited to discuss it with the Department as soon as possiblem and explain their fears in detail.

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