MERCHANDISE MARKS ACT. (Hansard, 4 July 1939)

§ 33. Mr. Kirkwood
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his inquiries into the possibility of marking imported goods with the name of the country of origin and with what result; and in view of the large imports of drapery, clothing, foodstuffs and toys from Japan, will be come to an immediate decision and take the appropriate action?

§ Mr. Stanley
As the hon. Member is aware, the views of the commercial, industrial and agricultural interests affected have been obtained on the representations made to me that the existing option to mark goods which require an indication of origin under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, with the word "Foreign" or "Empire," as the case may be, instead of with a definite indication of the country of origin should be withdrawn. It is clear that there is still considerable divergence of opinion on the subject amongst interested parties, but, nevertheless, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I have reached the conclusion that there are sufficient grounds in principle for removing the option to use the word "Foreign" or "Empire." Traders in this country have stocks which have been marked in accordance with the existing law and the change must be made in such a way as to avoid loss or undue inconvenience to them. The practical difficulties that arise are now being studied.

§ Mr. Thorne
Is it not the case that the reason some of these traders do not want to do away with this is that they would be ashamed to sell the goods if it were known?

Mr. Johnston
With regard to the existing stocks, before the forthcoming legislation, can the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to deal with firms which have the same labels both for foreign and Empire produce and simply cover over one or other word according to the customers?

§ Mr. Stanley
If the right hon. Gentleman knows of a case where Empire labels are being applied to foreign goods, and will bring it to my notice, certainly I will deal with it.

Mr. Johnston
If I give the right hon. Gentleman a can of Japanese salmon, which I have in the House, on the label of which there are both words, "Empire" and "Foreign," and the word "Foreign" or "Empire," as the case may be, can be plastered over, will he instruct the Law Officers of the Crown to take action?

§ Mr. Stanley
The right hon. Gentleman will also have to give me the name of the place from which this was bought and evidence that, in fact, the label "Empire" had been applied to a tin of Japanese goods.

§ Mr. Gallacher
Will the right hon. Gentleman read the "Daily Worker" today, where he will see information about a case of this sort?

§ Mr. Stanley
I am afraid that, like the soldier, the "Daily Worker" is not evidence.

Mr. Johnston
If I give the right hon. Gentleman a label with both words on it, will he not see for himself that this is intended to prejudice the purchaser?

§ Mr. Stanley
That may well be, but unless the right hon. Gentleman can give me some indication as to who used the label and where the salmon came from, obviously I cannot take any legal steps against those responsible.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
If I place in the hands of the Minister evidence on this matter, will he take the matter up more seriously than he has done up to this stage?

§ Mr. Stanley
It is not true that I have not taken it seriously. What I said was that if any hon. Member would give me evidence of an actual breach of the law, I would deal with it.

§ 38. Mr. Turton
asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of 1103 the imports into this country from Japan are marked with the name of the country of origin?

§ Mr. Stanley
I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

§ Mr. Turton
Can my right hon. Friend say from what date the decision that all goods should be marked with the country of origin will operate?

§ Mr. Stanley
No, Sir. It will, of course, require a change in the existing law.