§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade (I) if he can state upon what grounds the Lords of the 503 Treasury have decided that the placing on tins imported from Germany a map of Southern India and Ceylon with the Union Jack, and below it representations of Her Majesty's Indian subjects, could not be held to convey an indication to a purchaser that the tins were British made, and coming therefore within the terms of the Merchandise Marks Act; and (2) if he can inform the House why such matters are referred to the Lords of the Treasury, and are not decided by Her Majesty's Customs and the Board of Trade, which, under the Amending Act of 1891, has to make regulations for the prosecution of offences affecting trade?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonThe marks of which the hon. Member complains appear to convey no indication as to the country in which the tin was made, but to be merely a part of its ornamentation. Indeed, the various types of female beauty, which have no doubt attracted the eye of my hon. and gallant friend, undoubtedly appear to indicate an origin quite distinct from this country. [Laughter.] The answer to the second paragraph of the Question is that, by Section 2 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, the Board of Customs are "in all matters and things relating to the execution of their duties" subject to the control of the Treasury.