17 October 2000
PROPOSALS TO REPEAL LEGISLATION DEALING WITH TRADING STAMPS
The Department of Finance and Personnel today published proposals to repeal legislation in Northern Ireland dealing with trading stamps such as Green Shield stamps.
Mr Mark Durkan, MLA, Minister for Finance and Personnel, today said: "It has become clear with the advent of shop loyalty cards that legislation regulating the issue of paper trading stamps serves no useful purpose and should be repealed. The costs to businesses, primarily supermarkets, can no longer be justified as protecting consumer interests.
"Consultation on the repeal of parallel legislation has already taken place in England and Wales and Scotland and the Office of Law Reform is now seeking the views of consumer and business interests in Northern Ireland on whether our own legislation should also be repealed.
"Subject to the outcome of consultation, my proposals to repeal the Trading Stamps Act (NI) 1965 should have no adverse impact on consumer interests in Northern Ireland and would reduce a significant and unnecessary cost to businesses. This proposal would be a useful, albeit small law reform repeal measure."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Trading Stamps Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 was introduced to deal with the introduction of Green Shield Stamps in the 1960s following abolition of retail price maintenance.
- Such Trading Stamps, which were given to customers following purchase of goods, could be used as part payment for future purchases.
- The Department of Finance and Personnel is not aware of any such trading stamp scheme currently in use as most businesses operating a similar scheme use electronic cards to which the current legislation does not apply.
- Copies of the Consultation Paper can be obtained from:
The Office of Law Reform
Lancashire House
5 Linenhall Street
BELFAST
BT2 8AA
Telephone: (028) 90 542900
Fax: (028) 90 542909
Responses to the Consultation Paper should be sent to the Director of Law Reform at the above address by 28 November 2000.