§ 35. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been made for the marking of imported articles from 1st January, 1932, to date; how many of the applications have been granted; how 808 many have been refused; and how many are still awaiting decision?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)Fifteen applications have been received by the Board of Trade since 1st January, 1932. Twelve of these applications have been referred to the standing committee appointed by the Board and the remainder are still under consideration. The committee have held inquiries into six of these applications. In pursuance of the committee's reports a Marking Order has been made in one case and the draft of another Marking Order has been laid on the Table of the House. The other four cases are still awaiting decision. These figures are exclusive of three applications received by the Ministry of Agriculture in respect of certain agricultural and horticultural products.
§ Mr. DAVIESDoes the hon. Gentleman think, in view of the imposition of duties against foreign goods, that all this marking of imported articles is of any value?
§ Dr. BURGINI think it has a very definite value and so do the trades concerned, having regard to these applications.