§ 5. Mr. HIGHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the fact that watches and clocks and other articles of this nature which are manufactured in Germany are brought into this country without any mark, either on the box or the clock itself, which indicates its point of origin, and that these clocks and watches and other classes of goods are being sold in this country as British made; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation, if necessary, so that every article coming from Germany is identified as having been made in that country, for the protection of the people in this country who do not want to buy German goods, particularly in view of the fact that the Merchandise Marks Act only requires goods of foreign make to indicate the country of origin in the event of that article having some English wording printed on the article or the box or box labels?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware that these goods are being imported, but I do not know that they are sold as British made. The Merchandise Marks Committee, which my predecessor set up to consider the desirability of amending or extending the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act relating to indications of origin, is now considering its report, and I must await that report before considering the question of the introduction of legislation.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHOne at a time!
§ Sir F. FLANNERYIs my right hon. Friend aware that this Clause is not confined to watches and clocks, but includes gloves and a large number of other articles which are now being regularly brought into this country, and sold as of British manufacture?
Mr. C. PALMERWhen will the Antidumping proposals of the Government, of which we heard so much at the General Election, be laid before the House?
§ Mr. NEWBOULDWill the right hon. Gentleman say how, if we do not buy German goods, we can expect, as hon. Members do, an indemnity from Germany?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe last two queries do not seem quite relevant to the question. As to the first supplementary question, I am not aware that there is the large importation going on referred to by the hon. Gentleman. I hope the House will recollect that legislation is necessary to deal with these matters, that at present there is a Committee of the House sitting, and that it would be extremely undesirable if I were to introduce legislation before I saw their Report.
§ Sir F. FLANNERYWould the right hon. Gentleman send to the Committee particulars of the importation to which I have referred?
§ Sir R. HORNECertainly; I will do that.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the marking of goods made in Germany is often regarded by the Germans as an excellent advertisement for their manufactures?
§ Sir R. HORNEI know it used to be. [An HON. MEMBER: "Not now!"]
§ 21. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say if any, and what, steps are being taken to restrict the importation of German clocks before the Merchandise Marks Committee's Report is received?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt is not possible to restrict the importation of these clocks without introducing legislation for that 818 purpose. In view of the fact that the Report of the Merchandise Marks Committee is expected shortly, I cannot see my way to take any action before I receive the Report.