§ MR. ARTHUR STANLEY (Lancashire, Ormskirk)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to cases in which silver and gold watches imported from abroad have been sold in England in contravention of the law which prevents silver and gold wares being sold in this country unless hall-marked; and to cases in which watches imported from abroad have been sold in England in contravention of the law which forbids the sale in this country of silver and gold vessels or plate of less than a minimum fineness; and whether he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the circumstances mentioned, and they have been in communication with the Commissioners of Customs and the Goldsmiths' Company on the subject. The Board are informed that the Goldsmiths' Company have commenced an action, which will raise the points referred to by the hon. Member.