§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the conditions under which his Department grant permission to pottery manufacturers to use the mark Royal upon their ware; whether such permission is granted indiscriminately to all applicants, or whether it is granted for use only to such as are supposed to produce high-class articles; and, if so granted, by what means does his Department provide that the mark Royal shall not be used upon the cheap and common kinds of china and earthenware?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that permission to use the title or mark "Royal" is granted by my Department. I would refer him to Section 68 of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, and Section 90 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, which prohibit the use of the Royal Arms or the title "Royal" in connection with any trade without His Majesty's authority. Any application for the King's permission would, in ordinary course, be submitted through the Home Secretary, and His Majesty's pleasure would be conveyed to the applicant through the same channel. So far as I am aware, there are only three firms of pottery or porcelain manufacturers who have authority to use the title or mark "Royal." These firms are all long established and of high repute. No rules have been laid down as to the use of the word "Royal" in respect of certain qualities of merchandise only.