§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the manufacturers, workmen, and workwomen engaged in the production of decorated tin boxes for biscuits, music, chocolate for the Queen's soldiers, tobacco, cigarettes, tea, coffee, etc., as well as toys and other articles, are being injured by the importation of foreign goods bearing the name of English firms and English words, creating the belief that the goods are British made: and can he say how the passage of such goods through the Custom House without a definite indication of foreign origin can be reconciled with Section 16 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, which requires such indication upon all goods of foreign manufacture bearing any name or trade mark being, or purporting to be, the name or trade mark of any manufacturer, dealer, or trader in the United Kingdom; and will he issue directions that the law is to be obeyed to the letter.
§ MR. HANBURYThe Board of Customs inform me that in the opinion of 911 their solicitor "goods" in Section 16 of the Merchandise Marks Act of 1887 means goods which are themselves for sale as distinct from the more coverings such as the boxes. I think it is a point upon which it would be satisfactory to take the opinion of the law officers.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTMay I send the right hon. Gentleman specimens to which these complaints actually refer?
§ MR. HANBURYCertainly.