§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD BELPER, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that its object was to extend to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man the Merchandise Marks Act of 1862, which was intended to prevent the fraudulent marking of merchandise and forged trade-marks. In the places to which the Bill would apply there was at present no law affecting trade-marks and no law requiring their registration. The result was that cases of fraud were of frequent occurrence, and it was hoped that the Bill would put a stop to them. The large manufacturers interested in the question of trade-marks were very anxious that the Bill should pass through both Houses this year. He begged to move that it be now read a second time.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a"—(The Lord Belper.)
§ LORD SUDELEYsaid, that he should make no objection on the part of the Government to the second reading, provided the noble Lord would postpone the Committee on the Bill until the Government should have an opportunity of communicating with the Islands, which would probably be within nine or ten days.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Friday the 27th instant.