HC Deb 01 June 1937 vol 324 cc844-5
33. Mr. Day

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of pocket mirrors imported into this country during the six months ended to the last convenient date displaying pictures on the back thereof depicting the royal coach leaving Buckingham Palace and flying the Union Jack, upside down, together with the lion and unicorn, with the words "Coronation Day, May 12th, 1937," and also stamped "Foreign," having been made in Germany and supplied by manufacturers in Dusseldorf; and will he consider introducing legislation that will prohibit in future the import into this country of such merchandise bearing purely national emblems?

Mr. Stanley

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative; but I would remind the hon. Member that Coronation souvenirs imported from foreign countries are subject to an import duty of 100 per cent. ad valorem.

Mr. Day

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a regulation that the word "Foreign" should be imprinted on these souvenirs and not put on with a rubber stamp which could be easily rubbed off?

Mr. Stanley

That is a matter which comes under the machinery of the Merchandise Marks Act, and I will certainly look into it.

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