68. Sir H. BRITTA INasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain purchasers are offering prices for crude benzol 50 per cent. in excess of the standard price fixed by the National Benzol Association and that this benzol is refined and mixed with paraffin and inferior grade petrol and sold as benzol, the genuine British industry being thereby adversely affected; and will he, therefore, take steps to legalise the interpretation of the commercial use of the word benzol for use as motor spirit so that it is limited to fuel conforming to the standard specification laid down by the National Benzol Association?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply. I have seen reports to the effect that some purchasers have been 1043 offering higher prices for crude benzol than those arranged by the National Benzol Association. The question whether the use of the term "benzol" as a description of certain mixtures is a "false trade description" under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, is one for the courts and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to recommend legislation on the point.