§ SIR BEENHABD SAMUELSON (Oxfordshire, Banbury)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether complaints have reached the Commissioners of Customs of delay and inconvenience having arisen in consequence of the observance by Custom House officers of the instructions of the Commissioners relative to the carrying out of the Merchandise Marks Act of last Session; whether these complaints have referred mainly to goods for home consumption or to goods in transit; whether any of the instructions themselves have been objected to by traders; and, if so, what was the purport of the objections; whether it is the case that goods of foreign origin have been detained for no other reason than simply because the word "yards" was used to indicate their measurement, that being an English word, without the addition of the foreign place of origin; whether it is the case that thermometers made abroad have been detained because the word "Fahrenheit" was impressed upon them, that word being supposed to be an English word; and, whether it is intended to issue any amended instructions, after the experience obtained since the Act has been in operation?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)I am informed that little complaint has reached the Board of Customs as to the manner in which their officers have carried out their instructions. The London Chamber of Commerce have suggested that goods bearing labels required merely for pack- 549 ing and similar trade purposes may be admitted without such qualifying words as may be required in the case of labels intended for the public. The Sheffield Chamber have suggested amendment of the regulations as regards the requirement that security should be given by informers under the Act. These suggestions are now under consideration. When the Act first came into operation goods were detained at certain outports for bearing tickets with the word "yards," but were released immediately on reference to the Board. The answer to the Question about Fahrenheit thermometers is in the negative. When further experience has been gained of the working of the Act it will probably be found desirable to issue further instructions. I think it right to add that the Customs were strongly pressed in the direction of strictness in the supposed interests of manufacturers in this country; and it is not surprising if some difficulties have arisen. I have for some time been in communication with that Board on this question, and they have shown themselves most ready to avoid all hindrance to trade, so far as this can be done, while carrying out the provisions of the Act.