HC Deb 23 February 1937 vol 320 cc1809-10
17. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Harris tweed trade mark, which was originally stamped on a hand-made tweed, is now, through alterations in the regulations in 1934, used as a stamp for tweed which is mill-spun, factory-dyed, factory-finished, and is owned by millowners of the Outer Hebrides; and whether he will take steps, by further regulation or otherwise, to protect the persons engaged in making real hand-made tweed?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Runciman)

The hon. Member, no doubt, refers to the certification trade mark for Harris tweed that was registered in the year 1909. Under the regulations that were in force up to the year 1934, the use of this mark was confined to Harris tweed made throughout by hand. Under an amendment of the regulations which was authorised by the Board of Trade in 1934, the cloth must still be woven by hand. The weaving must be done at the islanders' own homes, but the spinning, dyeing and finishing may be done in mills and factories provided they are situated in the Islands. There is a provision in the regulations that if the tweed is made from handspun yarn it shall be further marked "Handspun." I see no reason why any maker of cloth which is hand-made as to dyeing and finishing should not himself indicate these facts on the cloth. As at present advised it does not appear, to me that further regulation is called for.

18. Mr. MacMillan

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the words, hand-woven by the islanders in their own homes, occurring in the regulations are being used by advertisers of the tweed manufactured under the 1934 trade mark conditions to suggest that such tweed is a genuine hand-made tweed of the original kind; and whether he will take action to prevent this?

Mr. Runciman

I have been in communication with the registered proprietors of the mark and I have received assurances which will, I trust, obviate any similar grounds of objection to their future advertisements.