§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a large proportion of the foreign cements introduced into this country is imported in the bags of home firms, with British trademarks attached, and sold to the home trade as British manufactured cements; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking legal proceedings against such firms under the Merchandise Marks Act.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI am informed that the Board of Customs have no reason to believe that foreign cement imported into this country is brought in bags bearing British trade marks without an indication of the country of origin of the cement. Any such importation which came under the observation of officers of the Customs Department would be detained and a necessary condition of release would be that there should be added an indication of the country of origin or that the trade mark should be erased. With regard, however, to this matter and also to the sale in this 1038 country of foreign cement as British, if my hon. friend will furnish me with any information on the subject that may be in his possession I shall be glad to have inquires made.
§ MR. J. WARDI will supply the information.