It would be nice if the Department of Trade did the same for sporrans, belts, and bagpipes.

If people are having to buy the stuff from India, Pakistan, or the PRC because it's cheap they should at least know where it comes from. In fact if it's cheap (say £14) it probably comes from China or India (I've no objection to people saving money by going for the cheaper options; that's their right and, maybe, need).

But take a dress sporran (metal cantle, metal tassel balls, fur, and all), for example - for a quality item made in Scotland (or elsewhere in the UK) the materials costs alone would be around £60, and labour costs could raise that to approaching £100. So the £120-£160 you would have to spend for a Janet Eagleton or Margaret Morrison (or from me) sporran reflects this and would be a good price.

The same item from India or China should retail for about £50-£70 - so if you're being asked for £114 for one (which I've seen) then you're being ripped off.

Competition is all well and good, but the customer should be fully informed about what he or she is considering buying before he (or she) commits to the purchase (which is why I usually list where I get the items from, such as "Sedgwick's English bridle leather" or whatever).