HC Deb 24 November 1931 vol 260 cc196-7
21. Mr. RALPH BEAUMONT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of encouraging purchasers to buy British goods, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to compel advertisers to state in their advertisements the country of origin of the goods they seek to sell?

34. Dr. WORTHINGTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to initiate legislation to ensure that all advertisements relating to goods of foreign origin, whether in the public Press or on the hoardings, shall bear an indication of the country of origin of the goods advertised?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, does already require the addition of an indication of origin to any specific advertisement of goods which have themselves to bear such an indication under Order-in-Council, and it is open to the manufacturers of any particular class or description of goods to take advantage of this provision by making application for an Order-in-Council.

An HON. MEMBER

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the nature of the exhibition of advertised articles of British manufacture held recently in London; whether that exhibition was organised by the retail advertisers themselves, and whether they invited the manufacturers to attend?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member ought to put down that question.