§ 25. Mr. Higgsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst traders with regard to the merchandise marks law; and whether he can see his way clear to introduce legislation in order to have all imported goods stamped with the country of origin?
§ Mr. StanleyOrganisations representing the interests concerned in this country have been asked for their views regarding an alteration of the law such as is suggested; but replies have not yet been received from a number of them. I am, therefore, not yet in a position to add to the answer which I gave on 28th March to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton).
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that most large manufacturing nations refuse to allow goods of foreign manufacture to be imported unless they are stamped with the country of origin?
§ Mr. StanleyWhen the Merchandise Marks Act was originally introduced the opinion of industry and commerce in this country was against that proposal. There are signs that the opinion since has been changed, and in order to ascertain whether that is so, I have circularised representative bodies asking for their views. I am sorry to say that some of those bodies are taking an extremely long time to reply.
§ Mr. TurtonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that poultry producers have always been in favour of imported eggs being marked with the country of origin?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsAre not many poultry producers very doubtful as to the wisdom of marking imported eggs?
§ Mr. StanleyIt just shows how wise I am to wait for those replies. I do not know about eggs. Certainly with regard to some eggs there is considerable doubt in the country whether it is wise to mark them with the names of the importing countries.