§ 5. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether cider imported as draught and afterwards bottled by an English firm has to bear a, label showing the country of origin under Section 1 of the Merchandise Marks Act?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf the bottles bear the name or trade mark of a firm in this country, that name or trade mark must be accompanied by an indication of origin which must either be the word "foreign" or "Empire," according to the origin of the cider, or a definite indication of the country in which the cider was manufactured.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIn the event of a cider being mixed—half British and half foreign—will it have to bear a mark?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should like notice of that question. I should also like to know whether there is, in fact, any such international mixture upon the market.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it not a fact that the Act does not apply to blended articles?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think, before I give a final legal opinion on the construction of the Act, I should like to see such questions on the Paper.
§ 6. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of cider imported into this country during the last year; whether this cider is bottled or draught; and whether the amount is increasing or decreasing?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn 1926 the imports of cider or perry, not containing added spirit, amounted to 1,166,000 gallons. The eider is "draught," imported in kegs. The imports in 1925 amounted to 1,748,000 1644 gallons and in 1924 to 1,116,000 gallons; consequently imports in 1926 were less than in 1925 but slightly larger than in 1924. Previously to 1924 the imports were comparatively small.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSIs this import of foreign liquor subject to any taxation?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, I think both the import duty and the Excise duty were removed some years ago.