§ SIR S. MONTAGU (Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade—(1) whether he is aware that silver plate imported from abroad is stamped (contrary to the spirit of the Merchandise Marks Act) with Hall-marks identical with those used for British plate, with the addition only of the letter F; (2) whether he is aware that such plate is largely bought by the public as British plate, and is also re-exported as such; (3) whether he is aware that British manufacturers have expressed their desire that foreign plate should after assay be stamped with marks quite distinct from those used on British 1075 plate; and (4) whether he will bring in a Bill to consolidate and amend existing Acts relating to Hall-marking?
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. J. BKYCK,) Aberdeen, S.All imported gold and silver plate is required by law to be assayed on importation, and, if found to be of standard quality, it is then Hall-marked in the same way as British plate, but with the addition of the letter F. The design of mark on foreign plate can hardly be said to be contrary to the spirit of the Merchandise Marks Act, as it is neither calculated to deceive, nor a false trade description, within the meaning of that Act. The Board have received no evidence that such plate is largely bought or re-exported; or that there is a general demand by manufacturers for a more distinctive marking. Any change towards a more restrictive system of marking foreign plate could not be made without consideration of our Treaty obligations with countries importing British plate. As to a Consolidation Bill, I see no prospect of bringing in such a measure at present.