§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the importation into this country of foreign-made porcelain with well-known trade marks of English firms printed upon the same; whether he has any power to prosecute and punish those who perpetrate such frauds; and, if not, will he seek powers to at once do so?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOnly one case of attempted importation into the United Kingdom of foreign-made porcelain bearing a trade mark of an English firm has been reported during the last twelve months, and in this case the goods were refused admission. The Merchandise Marks Acts provide for the prohibition of the importation of goods bearing forged trade marks and also for the imposition of penalties upon persons selling or having in their possession for sale goods so marked. The Board of Trade may undertake prosecutions in cases of this sort which appear to them to affect the general interests of a section of the community or of a particular trade. If my hon. Friend has in his possession any information regarding the existence of such a practice as that to which he refers I shall be glad to receive and consider it.
§ Mr. J. WARDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if his officers have directed his attention to the peculiar method of enamelling porcelain, giving the foreign marks, and so that the enamel can be rubbed off directly it passes the Customs and sold with the English trade mark attached to it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; but if my hon. Friend would like to have an opportunity of explaining the process, and of giving the evidence to an expert, I will arrange that he has the fullest opportunity of doing so.
§ Mr. J. WARDI have one in my possession which will provide a sample of the process, and I will present it to the right hon. Gentleman.