§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to fulfil his promise to the deputation received by him on the 6th inst., representative of many British productive industries and of over 250,000 workers, that—
He would confer with his Colleagues to see what could be done to enforce the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, both in the spirit and in the letter;and if he has had any inquiries made, with a view to prosecution, into the examples submitted to him of stamping the foreign brand required on foreign imports (if they bear English words or trade marks) in fugitive inks, or in obscure and concealed places, in order to deceive purchasers, a result frequently proved to be the case with foreign articles bearing no mark of origin, and capable of being sold as English?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI have given instructions that in every case of alleged infringement of the Merchandise Marks Act, where the matter is brought to the attention of the Board of Trade in the manner directed by the Rules and in 1274 compliance with the Act, 1891, that the Board shall proceed to enforce the provisions of the Act if they are advised that there is a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction.
§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENTHas the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries into the cases brought before him by the deputation that waited on him on the 6th instant?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo; I could not do that. The statements must be submitted, with evidence, to the Board of Trade.