HC Deb 07 February 1887 vol 310 cc768-9
MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, with reference to Clause 4 of "The Revenue Act, 1884," chap. 62, in which it is provided that— Articles of foreign plate which in the opinion of the Commissioners of Customs may he properly described as hand-chased, inlaid, bronzed or filigree work of oriental pattern, shall, subject to the payment of the proper Duties of Customs, be exempted from assay in the United Kingdom; What instructions have been issued to officers of Her Majesty's Customs for the purpose of deciding what is or what is not an "oriental pattern," and how the Commissioners of Customs themselves decide as to what is "oriental" and what "occidental" or otherwise; and, seeing that a short clause in "The Revenue Act, 1884," effected the exemption of certain foreign plate from the ancient law of compulsory hallmarking, Her Majesty's Government will, in "The Revenue Act, 1887," provide for similar facilities for trade in the United Kingdom in gold and silver plate by abolishing the principle of compulsory hall-marking, and by making hall-marking of gold and silver plate a voluntary institution?

THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)

I understand that the instructions issued by the Commissioners of Customs are that every article of foreign plate which is claimed to be of oriental pattern, and therefore exempt from assay, should be submitted to them for their personal inspection. After considering the claim, and any Reports which may be called for from their experts in any doubtful case, the Commissioners themselves decide whether, in their opinion, the claim is a proper one, and issue directions accordingly. The question of the abolition of compulsory hall-marking is too important to be dealt with in the manner suggested by the hon. Member; and I can only say that the subject shall receive consideration when a fitting opportunity occurs.