Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anna Soubry and Mary Glindon

Tuesday 28th June 2016 Commons Chamber

[Anna Soubry]

I am quite surprised that BHS will not engage, as the hon. Lady puts it; that is not at all satisfactory. We are working hand in glove with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that people are getting the support and opportunities that they need to get jobs. I am pleased that that work continues. In fact, government does continue, notwithstanding last week’s vote.

[Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

5. What discussions he has had with online retailers on the sale of counterfeit electrical goods.

[The Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise (Anna Soubry)]

My officials and the Intellectual Property Office have met online retailers to reduce the availability of counterfeits on their platforms and to help to co-ordinate law enforcement action against sellers. The dedicated IP crime unit that was launched by the coalition Government investigates sales of counterfeit goods. In October 2014, the Government rightly introduced a criminal sanction to address intentional copying of products protected by registered design.

[Mary Glindon]

Research undertaken by Electrical Safety First has found that 64% of counterfeit products are now purchased online, with sales via social media increasing by 15% every year. Have the Government considered the impact of this trend on consumers and the industry itself?