HC Deb 18 July 1934 vol 292 cc1093-5
32. Sir GIFFORD FOX

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that foreign cartridge makers are now sending cartridge cases into this country unprinted and that special machines are printing foreign on the cases after arrival; also that British firms filling these cases are actually receiving duty drawbacks when exporting, with the result that firms which manufacture solely British cartridges are being undercut in the Colonial markets; and whether he will investigate these facts with the object of introducing a change in the Merchandise Marks Act?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the Merchandise Marks Act I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 10th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland).

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Is it the case that these unprinted blank cartridges come here without any marking to indicate the country of origin?

Dr. BURGIN

I think that is so.

Mr. GRENFELL

Is that in accordance with the Merchandise Marks Act? Why should they be allowed to come in?

Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of these cartridges are printed with English words which may give the impression that they are of English make?

Dr. BURGIN

I am aware of the fact in regard to these cartridge cases, but under Merchandise Marks Act there is certain procedure which has to be followed. There has to be an application by a majority of manufacturers concerned, for an Order. Until that procedure is followed, I am powerless.

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that where an article bears the name of a British firm on it and does not bear an indication that it is of foreign origin, an offence arises under the Act, and is not the Board of Trade free to initiate a prosecution?

Dr. BURGIN

Perhaps the hon. Member will put all that on the Order Paper.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Is there not a misleading implication in the fact that there are English words on the base of the cartridge case, which gives the idea that they are English made?

Lieut.-Commander AGNEW

Does he Minister consider this an example of fair trade?

Mr. CAPORN

Would it be open to the manufacturers concerned to approach the Import Duties Advisory Committee and ask them to give protection?

Dr. BURGIN

The question and the whole of the supplementaries are directed to the Merchandise Marks Act. I was not considering import duties at all. Under the Merchandise Marks Act there is a recognised procedure, whether applicable to cartridge blanks or anything else, and until that procedure is followed the Board of Trade has no power in the matter.

Mr. THORNE

Is there not a moral obligation on the sportsmen who buy these cartridges to see that they get English instead of Japanese?