§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)On behalf of the hon. Member for the Central Division of Sheffield, Sir HOWARD VINCENT, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions were instituted under the Merchandise Marks Act of 1887 and 1891 by the Board of Trade in 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, and 1895, and with what results as to convictions and costs; how many cases are now pending at the suit of the Board of Trade; and how many were last year instituted by private persons or corporate bodies, and with what result?
§ MR. RITCHIEFrom 1891 to 1895 inclusive, the Board of Trade instituted sixteen prosecutions for thirty-three offences. Twenty-three convictions resulted. The penalties amounted to £77 and the costs to £74 13s. No cases are now pending. The Board have no information as to the number of prosecutions instituted by private persons or corporate bodies in 1895.