§ 9. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade why he refused to prosecute in the case reported to him by Mr. N. G. New, of Craddock, Collompton, in which a pair of stockings was sold as of English make although the words "Foreign made" appeared on the heels and had been partially erased?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that in such cases it is necessary to be in a position to prove that the article complained of is in fact of foreign origin. Following 1089 their usual procedure, the Board consulted trade experts who stated that there was no distinguishing characteristic in the stockings which would enable them to give such evidence. In the circumstances the Board had no option but to drop the proposed proceedings.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEDoes my right hon. Friend really think that anyone is going to stamp the word "Foreign" on a pair of English-made stockings and then try to erase it? Is not that proof enough that they are foreign?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYou cannot get a conviction without evidence.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs not that sufficient evidence?