asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the Bill relating to Trade Descriptions and Consumer Protection will be introduced.
Written Answers. - Consumer Protection.
42.
Proposals for this type of legislation have been formulated in my Department and are at present under consideration but, as I have already indicated in reply to a question asked by Deputy M. O'Leary recently, I have asked the National Prices Commission to examine the whole field of consumer protection in depth. I do not intend to introduce a Bill relating to trade descriptions until I receive a report from them.
43.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the extent to which manufacturers of perishable commodities are required to indicate clearly on wrappings the date by which such commodities should be consumed; and if any improvements in this regard are envisaged.
As I indicated in a reply to a recent similar question, the question of obligatory date-marking is under consideration as part of the general programme of consumer protection, but it would be premature for me to reach final decisions in relation to it while certain international bodies by whose decisions we would be affected are actively examining the question. There are some provisions in legislation administered by the Minister for Health and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries which already require date-marking in certain limited circumstances.