HC Deb 22 April 1890 vol 343 cc1075-6
MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

I bag to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to Parliamentary Paper No. 59, "Foreign Countries (Gold and Silver Marking)"; whether, considering that every article of silver plate manufactured in the United Kingdom for home sale or for exportation must be of British standard 925, and must be hall marked; that the standards of all continental countries differ from ours, and for the most part from each other, and that most of them have marking systems of their own based upon their own standards, those standards are for the most part inferior to that of the United Kingdom; and that, in the case of foreign countries, although there are strict laws with reference to their home trade, manufacturers are permitted to make plate of any quality for exportation, British manufacturers can have similar commercial facilities extended to them?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

Theoretically I have no objection whatever to British manufacturers marking plate of any quality for exportation. I understand, however, that the great majority of the tradesmen are in favour of compulsory hall marking, and I do not know how the two can be combined. It is a matter for discussion, and it shall receive due consideration.

*MR. BRADLAUGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, in reference to the Indian trade, that the manufacture is from rupee silver 916, and that this is slightly reduced in working?

MR. GOSCHEN

I did not understand that the question referred to the Indian trade. I understood that the hon. Gentleman's question referred to the exportation of manufactured plate, and not to the importation of Indian silver manufactured articles. We do intend to arrange that Indian silver manufactured articles shall be imported with a special mark at the rupee standard, or with a special mark corresponding to it. That is the concession which we hope to make and in regard to which we are in communication with the Secretary of State for India.

SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)

Will the Goldsmiths' Company not interfere with the arrival of Indian silver plate?

MR. GOSCHEN

The hon. Member must understand that I have given a full answer in regard to our intentions.