§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the contravention of "The Merchandise Marks Act, 1887," by the importation of birthday and other anniversary cards bearing English poetry and legends, with no indication whatever that the cards have been produced and printed by German labour save in a diminutive adhesive label upon the outer paper covering a packet of a dozen or more, and therefore invisible to the retail purchaser; and if his advisers are of opinion that the present law is not strong enough to deal with such cases, will he take steps for its amendment?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA, Sheffield, Brightside)I understand that it is the view of the Customs Authorities that verses or legends in English on cards do not constitute a trade description, but are a substantive part of the goods themselves. The Customs will take steps to obtain the opinion of the Law Officers on this point.