§ 50. Sir J. POWERasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken for the enforcement of Section 1 of the Merchandise Marks Act, so that it may be made fully effective from the commencement?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)A memorandum explaining the requirements of the Section, which was drawn up in consultation with the Customs, was published in the Board of Trade Journal for 5th May. Nearly 10,000 copies of this memorandum have been distributed both directly and through representative bodies such as the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the Association of Retail Distributors, and in this way and as a result of an extensive correspondence with a large number of firms and associations, I am satisfied that the requirements of the Section are now widely known.
§ Mr. RILEYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this Regulation is having the effect of driving trade out of this country and curtailing employment?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThat is rather a wide question to arise out of the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very considerable confusion still in the minds of traders about Section 1, and will the Board of Trade reconsider the matter with a view to applying the Section only in cases where a British trade mark has been applied to an imported article?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe hon. Member has asked me two questions. I cannot say anything about policy. As to lack of information, if the hon. Member will bring to my notice any case where that exists, I shall be glad to look into it.