asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make regulations whereby shoes offered for sale will be labelled with the country of origin and the material used in soles, uppers and linings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Footwear.
20.
An order under the Merchandise Marks Acts, made in 1971, already requires that footwear on importation must be marked indelibly with the country of origin. The order is being strictly enforced by customs officers. I have no power at present to require an indication of the constituent materials of footwear, but the taking of such powers is being considered.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are on sale at present shoes with plastic uppers which are inclined to disintegrate very quickly and the consumer is "had" in effect because it is imitation leather? Is there any way in which the consumer can be protected?
As I said, I am considering the possibility of having legislation which will require the declaration of the materials in the shoes.
Will it require legislation or can it be done by ministerial order?
It requires legislation.
That will take a long time.