HC Deb 07 June 1894 vol 25 cc564-5
MR.MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Law Officers of the Crown have given an opinion that the Commissioners of Customs had no power under the 16th section of "The Merchandise Marks Act, 1887," to admit foreign goods bearing the name and trade mark of any manufacturer, dealer, or trader in the United Kingdom; and if lie will take care that for the future no such importation of goods bearing English names shall be imported, as was recently the case when several tons of glass bottles were allowed to be discharged in the Thames bearing the name and trade directions of R. White, an employer of foreign labour?

MR. BRYCE

I am not aware that any such opinion has been given by the Law Officers of the Crown as is mentioned in the question. I believe that my hon. Friend the Attorney General a few days ago said something bearing on this subject; but as he is unfortunately absent from the House I have not been able since seeing the question to ascertain what his precise view is. As regards the latter part of the question, the Commissioners of Customs are not under the direction of the Board of Trade.

MR. MACDONA

But did not the Solicitor General for the Attorney General give such an opinion?

MR. BRYCE

As I did not hear the answer, I do not think I ought to say anything on the matter.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I shall take the earliest opportunity of drawing attention to this subject.